Benefits of Zenoptiq

Adenoviruses are known to cause a wide range of illnesses including Adenoviral conjunctivitis (Ad-CS), also known as pink eye. As one of the most common eye infections worldwide, pink eye has more than 20 million cases reported each year in the United States alone. [10]

Adenoviruses have no outer lipid bilayer and are highly resistant to disinfection.[5] The virus is transmitted directly through droplets or smears of infected bodily fluids, primarily tears or respiratory secretions, and by carriers such as towels, doorknobs, soap, counters, instruments, eye drops, and eyeglasses.[6] The period of contagion lasts about 3 weeks.[1] The incubation period for Ad-CS is about 10 days prior to the onset of symptoms. Symptoms typically persist for 7 to 28 days.

People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness from an adenovirus infection. [7]

Caused by the herpes simplex virus, eye herpes is a common, recurrent viral infection affecting the eyes. This type of herpes can cause inflammation and scarring of the cornea that is sometimes referred to as a cold sore on the eye, and in extreme cases might lead to a corneal transplant.[3]

Eye herpes can range from a simple infection to a condition that can possibly cause blindness as there are several forms of eye herpes [3]:

• Herpes keratitis is the most common form of eye herpes and is a viral corneal infection. Ocular herpes in this form generally affects only the top layer, or the epithelium, of the cornea, and usually heals without scarring.
• Stromal keratitis occurs when the infection goes deeper into the layers of the cornea. This can lead to scarring, loss of vision and, occasionally, blindness. According to National Eye Institute, about 25% of new and recurring cases of herpes eye infections result in stromal keratitis.
• Iridocyclitis is a serious form of eye herpes where the iris and surrounding tissues inside the eye become inflamed, causing severe sensitivity to light, blurred vision, pain, and red eyes. Iridocyclitis is a type of uveitis that affects the more frontal portions of the inside of the eye.

The National Eye Institute says an estimated 400,000 Americans have experienced some form of ocular herpes, with close to 50,000 new and recurring cases occurring each year.[4]

Most people do not associate Escherichia Coli (E. coli) with the eye, however, E. coli can produce ocular infections including corneal ulcer and endophthalmitis, which can result in a devastating outcome. Early recognition and appropriate treatment is crucial. These infections most commonly occur in patients who are debilitated, immunocompromised, diabetic or in corneas with an underlying pathologic condition.[12]

Various strains of E. coli have been associated with eye infections such as, Corneal infection (due to E. coli), which produces indolent corneal ulcers. Also, endophthalmitis (due to E. coli), an inflammation of the interior of the eye usually related to surgery, has antimicrobial resistance that occurs through plasmid-mediated determinants. In endophthalmitis, the course of illness is very rapid, and complete destruction of intraocular tissues occurs. Men are four times more likely to have ocular trauma than women, which may lead to bacterial endophthalmitis.[12]