How Do I Know If I Have an Eye Infection?

If you experience swelling, pain, itching, or redness in the eye, you may be suffering from an eye infection. Eye infections are categorized according to the agents that cause them: bacterial, viral, or fungal. Infections arise when part of the eye, or the area around the eye, is affected.

In many cases, infections go away on their own or with simple remedies. Eye infections are treated in different ways depending on the cause. Fortunately, eye infections are easy to spot, and you can get early treatment at Berris Optical.

Symptoms of Eye Infections

Symptoms of eye infections will vary depending on the cause. The symptoms include eye pain, red eyes, eye discharge, dry eyes, watery eyes, swollen eyes, and light sensitivity. Other symptoms are itching, swelling around the eyes, and blurry vision.

It is necessary to visit an eye doctor if you experience any symptoms of an eye infection. Accurate diagnosis and early treatment are essential. The delayed or wrong treatment can threaten your vision.

Types of Eye Infections

You will find many kinds of eye infections. The most common is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. It is a highly contagious eye infection common among children. Another eye infection, styes, is characterized by a small bump on the eyelid.

Fungal keratitis and acanthamoeba keratitis are infections usually connected to contact lens use. Other eye infections are trachoma and endophthalmitis which could result in vision loss if not treated.

Complications of Eye Infections

If not treated, eye infections can cause several complications. They include inflammatory conditions like uveitis and dacryostenosis and a corneal ulcer that can cause acute vision loss. Serious eye infections may reach the deep part of the eye, resulting in vision-threatening conditions like endophthalmitis.

Treating Eye Infections

Treatment for eye infections depends on the type. The doctor can take a sample from the infected area to determine the type of infection.

Using the results, the doctor will prescribe an effective treatment that will target the cause of the infection. Most viral infections heal on their own, but severe infections may require eye drops to reduce the inflammation. Common treatments include prescription antibiotic ointments, prescription eye drops, and eye compresses.

Preventing Eye Infections

Washing your hands before touching your eyes can prevent eye infections. This is crucial if you meet someone with an eye infection. Using anti-infective cleansers and sprays in common areas can help reduce the risk of getting common viral or bacterial eye infections.

If someone in the home has an eye infection, keep their towels and beddings clean and avoid sharing the items. Make sure they wash their hands frequently. If you use contact lenses, follow the prescribed safety tips. The tips include washing your hands before touching the lenses and removing the contacts before sleeping. 

Eye infections can affect the eyelid, cornea, or conjunctiva. These are the areas where the symptoms occur. The symptoms can affect one or both eyes. If the infection is due to an allergy, injury, or another health condition, the doctor may recommend other treatments. If you wear contacts, you should avoid wearing them until the infection clears.

For more on whether you have an eye infection, visit Berris Optical at our office in Rocky River, Ohio. You can call 440-571-7100​​​​​​​ today to schedule an appointment.