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Eye Infection: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

By Nethradhama Medical Staff
Reviewed by - Dr. Sri Ganesh, Chairman & Managing Director

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Generally, eye infections are caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses or a fungus. Some infections aren’t serious. Eye infection can affect any part of your eye. If you leave this condition untreated, it can be painful, and frustrating and even lead to vision loss.

Types of Eye Infections

1. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Pink eye or Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections. It happens when blood vessels in the conjunctiva become infected by bacteria or a virus. There are some symptoms include:

  • Reddish or pinkish tint to your eyes
  • Watery discharge from your eyes
  • Itchiness or feeling irritation in your eyes
  • Producing more tears than usual, especially in only one eye

2. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an eye infection that affects your eyelids and the skin folds covering your eyes and creates inflammation in your eyelids. This type of inflammation is usually caused by clogging the oil glands inside the eyelid skin at the base of your eyelashes. There are some symptoms include: 

  • Eye or eyelid redness, itchiness, swelling
  • Eye oiliness
  • A sensation of burning in your eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Producing more tears than usual

3. Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is an eye infection which creates inflammation of the inside of your eye resulting from a bacterial or fungal infection. Candida fungal infections are the most common cause of endophthalmitis. This condition can happen after certain surgeries and it may also occur after an object penetrates your eye.

 There are some symptoms include:

  • Mild to severe eye pain
  • Partial or complete vision loss
  • Blurry vision
  • Redness or swelling around the eye and eyelids
  • Eye pus or discharge
  • Sensitivity to bright lights

  There are two common types of Endophthalmitis

  • Exogenous endophthalmitis: This is the most common type that can occur after an eye injury, surgery, or injection. When the eye’s protective surface is compromised, bacteria or fungi enter the eye. 
  • Endogenous endophthalmitis: This infection stems from an infection in another body party that spreads to the eye. For example, it can happen with a urinary tract infection or blood infection.

Eye Infection Symptoms

Eye infection symptoms depending on the type of infection. Generally, symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain, burning or stinging
  • Yellow, green or bloody eye discharge
  • Eyes “stuck” shut upon waking
  • Red eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Flaking of eyelids
  • Swollen eyelids

Eye Infection Causes

Eye infections are typically caused by bacteria or fungi resulting in discomfort, redness and itchy eyes. Eye infection causes include:

  • Bacteria
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis
  • Contact Lenses
  • A foreign object in the eye
  • A reaction to eye drops
  • Blocked tear duct

Home Remedies for Eye Infection

Treatment for eye infection might include anti-infective medication in various forms, such as eye drops, ointments or tablets. Usually, it takes 24 to 48 hours for antibacterial medicines to work. The viral or allergic infections clear on their own, but you may be able to make yourself  comfortable with the following home remedies:

  • The use of warm or cool compresses to make your eyes feel better.
  •  Lubricating eye drops helps to make more tears (artificial tears).
  • Use pain relievers to prevent eye infections.
  • Avoid allergens that caused the reaction in the first place.

Eye Infection Treatment

Bacterial and viral eye infections are contagious and the only way to tell the difference between bacterial and viral eye infections is by an eye exam from an ophthalmologist. 

Bacterial eye infections can be treated with antibiotic drops and pills. Also, treating the underlying cause is important, such as chronic blepharitis or lid infection. Viral infections can be treated with artificial tears, mild steroid drops, and drops to prevent redness and itching. Special care is needed to avoid giving the infection to others, including careful hand washing, throwing away eye makeup and contaminated contact lenses and trying not to rub the eyes.

Prevention of Eye Infections

  • Stop touching your eyes without washing your hands.
  • Use anti-infective sprays and cleaners in shared spaces.
  • If you’re around someone with an eye infection, limit your physical contact with that person.
  • If you are using contact lenses, always wash your hands before handling them.
  • Be aware that wearing contact lenses significantly increases the chance of an eye infection.
  • If you have allergic reactions to makeup or facial cosmetics can also increase the possibility of additional infection.

Eye infections are not dangerous but they can make our life quite uncomfortable. If you have any kind of eye infection, it is important to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.  We, at Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, believe in offering the best treatment to relieve you of eye infection most comfortably and quickly. Our services include a thorough diagnosis under the care of our ophthalmologist and state-of-the-art facilities that will contribute greatly to your recovery progress.

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