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An ocular yeast infection is a fungal overgrowth, most commonly involving the Candida species, that affects the cornea or internal structures of the eye. Unlike bacterial infections, yeast infections are often slow-developing but can cause deep tissue damage if the fungus penetrates the corneal layers.
read more about ocular yeast infection ...Yeast does not typically infect a healthy eye. Common risk factors include:
The symptoms often mimic bacterial pink eye but do not respond to standard antibiotic drops. Patients report a foreign body sensation, blurred vision, increased light sensitivity (photophobia), and a distinct "feathery" appearance of the white infiltrates on the cornea. The eye may appear significantly red and produce a thick, sometimes yellowish discharge.
Diagnosis is difficult because fungi grow slowly. An eye doctor must take a corneal scraping and send it to a laboratory for a fungal culture. Because standard treatments for bacteria can actually make a yeast infection worse by killing off "friendly" bacteria, getting a precise diagnosis is the most important step in saving the patient's vision.
Treatment requires specialized antifungal eye drops, such as Natamycin or Amphotericin B. These drops often need to be administered every hour, around the clock, for several days. In severe cases where the infection has entered the interior of the eye (endophthalmitis), antifungal medication may be injected directly into the eye or taken orally for several weeks.
Yes, if lenses are worn too long or cleaned with tap water. Yeast thrives in moist, dark environments, making a dirty lens case an ideal breeding ground.
Ocular yeast infections are not typically contagious from person to person. They usually result from environmental exposure or an imbalance in the body's own flora.
Recovery is slow. While bacterial infections clear in days, a fungal yeast infection can take weeks or even months of consistent treatment to fully eradicate.