Fungal Infections of the Eyes - Essay Example

"Fungal Infections of the Eyes" is a perfect example of a paper on ophthalmology.
The eye is one of the most important organs of the body. It provides us with the sense to see. This organ is a highly sensitive organ and its defence comprises of the following components:

• Anatomic defences: The anatomy of the eye provides a foremost defence to the eye. The surface of the eyeball is charged with mechanical and immunologic functions that protect the eye. Eyelids give mechanical protection to the ocular surface. Lashes also have a protective mechanism called the blink reflex which fights against foreign airborne substances. The cornea of an eye is sensitive and initiates blink reflex against foreign entities. The lids also have protective mechanisms and sweep over the globe by producing tears. Nonkeratinized squamous epithelium fights against pathogens.
• Tear film defence: Tear film consists of oil, aqueous and mucous layers. These layers collectively form tears. These layers bathe the anterior globe, prevent adherence of microorganisms and also transmits substances to the excretory system.
• Conjunctival defence: The nonkeratinized squamous epithelium lies above a highly vascular system of vessels and lymphoid tissue. Whenever there is a foreign insult the T and B lymphocytes transform and fight against the insults.
• Corneal response: even though the cornea is avascular it has dendritic cells which make T and B lymphocytes function in the cornea.
• Cellular immune response: During inflammatory responses, the dendritic cells migrate to the centre of the cornea and release mediators. T cells are present in conjunctival propria and B cells are present lacrimal glands.
• Leukocyte defence: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes retain the ability to ingest and kill microorganisms. The oxygen-dependent pathway is based on postphagocytic intracellular manufacture of oxidants. The oxygen-independent pathway is based on the function of antimicrobial proteins called defensins (Klotz et al, 2000).

CAUSES OF FUNGAL INFECTION

Causes of fungal infection of the eye are various fungi. The species of fungi involved are filamentous fungi and yeasts.

• Aspergillus
• Fusarium
• Candida Albicans
• Cryptococcosis
• Blastomycosis
• Coccidioidomycosis
• Histoplasmosis (Cook, 2009).

IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST

If a person or organism is tagged as being immunocompromised, it means which the person's defence mechanisms and are not working to their satisfactory potential. Our body is bombarded by germs over time. Several microbes tend to be basic for you to humans. Some tend to be effective, like tend to be microbes in the digestive tract to assist with foodstuff digestive function. Nevertheless many are harmful, along with the pure defence mechanisms of any healthful people provides continual defence for you to reduce the effects of these just before they could create a particular person unwell. A person experiencing AIDS is a serious illustration of an immunocompromised person.

Microorganisms enter the body at every possible entry point. Mucous membranes are moist tissue linings that are predominantly vulnerable for the entrance of germs. Majority of the body’s mucous membranes are located internally in the body and are guarded by the skin, but there are a few exceptions some such as the eyes. Hence when a fungal organism attacks the ocular system of an immunocompromised person, it is susceptible to infection.

CONCLUSION

The eye is an important organ of the body as it provides us with the sense to see. It is highly sensitive too and is fully equipped by nature to combat foreign insults. The many layers make it potent to fight against insults such as fungal infections. Immunocompromised patients such as transplant or AIDS patients are prone to develop fungal eye infection due to their faulty defence.