What Causes Eye Infections?
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Eye infections can develop from bacteria or viruses or may be fungal in nature. It’s important to determine which type you have because treatment is different for each. Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye), for instance, responds to antibiotics, which may be supplied via eye drops, ointment, or oral medications.
What are Some Common Eye Infections?
Some of the most common eye infections are:
- Conjunctivitis, which may be bacterial or viral
- Infectious keratitis, which infects the cornea and may be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic
- Endophthalmitis, severe inflammation of the inside of your eye due to bacterial or fungal infection
- Blepharitis, inflammation, and redness of the eyelids, often caused by blocked meibomian glands and/or bacterial infection
- Uveitis, caused by infection and inflammation of the central layer of your eyeball, which carries blood to your retina
- Periorbital cellulitis, an infection of eye tissue that most often affects the lids and is caused by bacteria that may spread from a sinus infection or through a scratch or other skin injury
- Ocular (eye) herpes, spread through contact (not sexual) with herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)
What are the Symptoms of an Eye Infection?
Your symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection, but there are some common signs to watch for:
- Mild to severe eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Increased tear production
- Eye redness, itchiness, and general irritation
- The sensation of a foreign object or grittiness in your eyes
- Thick eye drainage that may crust and harden overnight
Some infections, such as endophthalmitis, can cause severe eye pain and partial or complete vision loss, which requires urgent medical attention.
How Do You Treat Eye Infections?
Treatment varies and depends on the type and severity of the infection. The goal is to relieve your discomfort and address the underlying cause of your infection.
Therapy may range from the use of eye drops or ointment, to comfort measures such as warm, moist compresses to the eyes. In the case of endophthalmitis, you’ll likely need an injection of antibiotics delivered (painlessly) directly into the eyeball.
If you develop symptoms of an eye infection, schedule a visit at Rocky Mountain Eye Center sooner rather than later for relief from your symptoms and to help protect your eye health.
