What is an Eye Infection?
Eye infections can occur when viruses, bacteria, or fungi enter your eye. While many eye infections go away on their own or require simple treatment, some may be serious and require immediate medical treatment. The most common symptoms associated with eye infections include eye redness, eye pain, eye discharge, watery or dry eyes, swollen eyes, sensitivity to light, itching, blurry vision, or eye swelling.
Common Types of Eye Infections
There are a variety of different types of eye infections (including bacterial or fungal infections), with some of the most common including:
Conjunctivitis (pink eye): This is an infection of your conjunctiva and causes eye redness. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergies, or irritants. Pink eye can be very contagious. The viral infection is the most common type of pink eye.
Uveitis: Uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea. It can be caused by viruses such as herpes, or autoimmune disorders such as lupus. If left untreated, it can cause vision loss.
Stye: A stye is a painful red bump at the base of your eyelashes or under your eyelid that occurs when oil glands in your eyelashes or eyelid are infected with bacteria. They appear similar to pimples, and while they can be uncomfortable, they are not contagious.
Keratitis: This is inflammation of the cornea caused by viruses, bacteria (bacterial keratitis), or parasites that live in water. This infection is most common among people who wear contact lenses.
Fungal eye infections: While fungal infections of the eye are rare, they can be serious. The most common ways to get a fungal eye infection are through an eye injury or if you do not clean your contacts properly.
What are the Symptoms of Pink Eye and Other Eye Infections?
There are a variety of symptoms you might notice with eye infections. Some of the most common infected eye symptoms include light sensitivity, red eyes, itchy eyes, irritation, watery discharge (can be yellow or green), and blurred vision. Eye pain, swelling, and crusting can also occur.
KNOW YOUR DOCTOR
Dr. Archana Gupta
Cataract Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, Cornea & External Diseases Specialist
Dr. Archana Gupta is a board certified ophthalmologist. She specializes in cataract, cornea, external diseases and refractive surgery.
Eye Infection Treatment Options
Treatment for your eye infection will be dependent on the cause. Our Ophthalmologist, Dr. Gupta may take a sample of the affected area for a culture to help her determine the exact type of infection that you have. The good news is that most common viral eye infections heal on their own. However, some types of infections require medical treatment to clear up. Depending on the cause of your eye infection, treatment may involve prescription oral antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral medications for herpes simplex virus or viral conjunctivitis, prescription antibiotic eye drops (artificial tears) or ointments, lubricating eye drops, or eye compresses.
Tips for Preventing Eye Infections
You can minimize your risk of catching common eye infections by taking simple daily precautions. These include avoiding touching your eyes, keeping bedding and towels clean, avoiding sharing personal items such as towels and washcloths, washing your hands often, and following good hygiene when it comes to contact lens care. Contact lens wearers who don’t take care of their lenses can be particularly at risk.
It is also important that you avoid sleeping while wearing contacts, as this can increase your chances of developing an eye infection.
Eye Infection FAQ
What are the most common types of eye infections?
Is an eye infection contagious?
Can an eye infection go away on its own?
What should I avoid doing if I think I have an eye infection?
How can I prevent future eye infections?
Schedule Your Appointment
If you believe that you or your child may have an eye infection, be sure to contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gupta. While many eye infections can be treated easily and quickly, some may be more serious and require immediate medical attention. At Advanced Eye Surgeons, we provide effective and timely treatment to help restore you to full health.
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If you have a question or would like to schedule an appointment, please fill out and submit our online form.
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