The eye has specific mechanisms guaranteeing its protection against common infections. Thus, tears perform the lubrication function and prevent dryness that might create conditions favorable for pathogens and infections (Pflugfelder & Stern, 2020). They also contain sugars, lysozymes, lactoferrin, and antibodies that help to struggle against known microbes (Snell, 2016). Moreover, there is a blood eye barrier comprised of specific cells (Snell, 2016). They focus on filtrating pathogens or compounds that might damage the eye and promote the development of various diseases (Snell, 2016). In such a way, the eye has effective protection mechanisms helping to avoid serious damage.
Nevertheless, the eye might still be infected, which requires immediate treatment. Fungal infections are extremely rare; however, they can occur because of several factors. Direct trauma is the most common cause of acquiring the condition (Walther et al., 2021). Moreover, in some cases, contact lenses might cause the development of fungal eye infections (Walther et al., 2021). Chronic eye disease, eye surgery, or invasive eye procedure can also lead to fungal eye infections (Walther et al., 2021). In rare cases, fungal bloodstream infections can spread to the eye (Walther et al., 2021). In this regard, direct contact or invasive impacts are the major causes of the problem.
Immunocompromised people have a higher chance of getting fungal eye infections. It occurs because their immune system is weaker and cannot guarantee adequate protection (Pathakumari et al., 2020). The immune system of a healthy person responds to the fungus timely and prevents it from spreading and affecting new parts of the body (Pathakumari et al., 2020). However, among immunocompromised people, fungus infection is one of the major causes of morbidity (Pathakumari et al., 2020). It spreads too fast, and the immune system cannot stop it.
References
Pathakumari, B., Liang, G., & Liu, W. (2020). Immune defence to invasive fungal infections: A comprehensive review. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 130, 110550, Web.
Pflugfelder, S. C., & Stern, M. E. (2020). Biological functions of tear film. Experimental Eye Research, 197, 108115. Web.
Snell, R. (2016). Clinical anatomy of the eye (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Walther, G., Zimmermann, A., Theuersbacher, J., Kaerger, K., von Lilienfeld-Toal, M., Roth, M., Kampik, D., Geerling, G., & Kurzai, O. (2021). Eye infections caused by filamentous fungi: Spectrum and antifungal susceptibility of the prevailing agents in Germany. Journal of Fungi, 7(7), 511. Web.