What Are The Most Common Eye Infections?

Eye infections can affect anyone, and they should always be treated as soon as possible to prevent them from causing serious or even permanent damage. The treatment you need will depend on correctly identifying the cause of the infection. This may be a virus, a fungus, or a bacterial source invading the eyeball or surrounding areas.

What are the symptoms of an eye infection?

Common symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, itchiness, blurred vision, discomfort, and a watery discharge. Unless there is an obvious cause, such as hay fever or contact with a contaminant, you should seek advice on treatment from a pharmacist or doctor.

What are the main types of eye infection?

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections. It’s also known as pink eye, because the blood vessels in the eyeball become inflamed. It can be caused by bacteria or a virus, and is very contagious. Children are prone to it, and it is easily spread through close contact in school classrooms.

The eye will look noticeably red an inflamed, and it may be itchy and more watery than usual. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotic eyedrops, or oral tablets. If the source is viral, then the eye should be bathed regularly to relief symptoms, but there is no medical cure. Sufferers should avoid sharing towels or pillows until the infection clears up.

Keratitis

Keratitis occurs when the cornea, which is the transparent layer covering the pupil and iris, becomes infected. Its source and be either fungal, bacterial, or viral. The symptoms include redness, swelling, wateriness or other discharge, blurred vision, discomfort, and increased light sensitivity.

It can be caused by using contact lenses, a foreign object penetrating the eyeball, or use of eyedrops. People with compromised immune systems are also more prone to developing keratitis.

Medical advice should be sought if you are experiencing symptoms, to help identify the source, and obtain the correct treatment. Bacterial infections may be treated with antibacterial eyedrops, or oral tablets if it is a serious case. Fungal infections will require treating with antifungal eyedrops or other medication.

If the source is viral, eyedrops may help to relieve symptoms, but there’s no guaranteed cure.

Stye

A stye (the medical name is hordeolum) is an infection of the eyelid. It is caused when the glands at the base of the eyelash, or within the eyelid, become clogged and infected. Symptoms include a red lump along the lid or lower lash line, that may be sore or tender. The eye may also be itchy, watery, or swollen.

To treat a stye, gently rinse the eye with clean warm water, or a mild saline solution. To remove any clogged dirt, oils, and make up from the area, gently wipe it with a mild cleansing solution and a cotton pad. If you wear contact lenes or eye makeup, it’s advisable to stop doing so until the infection has cleared up.

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