Eye Infection Symptoms

The common infections of the eye that are the most prevalent are conjunctivitis (also known pinkeye) and sty. Other eye infections include trachoma, corneal ulcer and keratitis. People who are in the habit of wearing contact eye lenses, are found to be more prone to eye infections. This is because of the buildup of bacteria because of wearing the lenses without proper disinfection. When the normal defense mechanisms of the eyes fall weak, they become vulnerable to eye infections. These infections may have different sources such as from the eyelids, sinus, eye trauma, eye surgery, a weak immune system or other bacterial or viral diseases. Below is a list of some of the mild and severe eye infection symptoms.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis or pinkeye, is identified by its most prominent symptom; the white of the eyes or the inner eyelid turning red. It may affect one or both the eyes. The person may experience frequent flow of tears, and feel thick crusts of yellow discharge over the eyelashes. This usually happens during sleep and the person may find it difficult to open his eyelids as they stick together due to the discharge. There will be constant sensation of itching in the eyes that is accompanied by pain when there is some kind of strain on the eyes. Conjunctivitis increases the sensitivity of the eyes towards light, (photophobia) and causes constant burning.

Symptoms of Sty
If a person is suffering from sty also known as hordeolum, then the normal eye infection symptoms are irritation and itching. The most obvious one is a red lump on the top or bottom eyelid, that may look like a boil or a pimple. Redness, tenderness and pain in the affected eye are the early symptoms of sty. When left untreated, more severe symptoms include swelling, discomfort while blinking, increased amount of tears and increased sensitivity to light may start to occur.

Symptoms of Trachoma
Early symptoms of trachoma, a bacterial infection, include redness of the eyes, watery eyes, swollen eyelids, discharge from the eyes containing pus, and sensitivity to light. When this infection progresses, it shows symptoms of small red lumps in the eyelids and at a later stage, these eyelid lumps multiply and enlarge in size. When left untreated, the affected person may start experiencing eye pain, corneal scarring and gradually dimming vision.

Symptoms of Fungal Eye Infection
Fungal eye infection symptoms are eye lesions, cloudy appearance on the eye's surface, inflammation of the eye and blurred vision or blindness. The other symptoms are similar to those of the infections that have been mentioned above, i.e. eye irritation, discharge, swelling, pain, tearing or redness and photophobia.

Symptoms of Corneal Ulcer
In corneal ulcer, a white or gray round spot on the cornea is visible if large in size. Apart from these, the symptoms are similar to the other eye infections. They include eye pain, red-eye, tickling sensation in the eye, tearing, feeling of a foreign particle in the eye, discharge from the eye, blurred vision, swollen eyelids and photophobia.

Symptoms of Keratitis
Keratitis is referred to as inflammation of the cornea and it may be chronic or acute. This ailment may or may not be associated with infection. Keratitis usually affects the lower portion of the eye and symptoms include mild irritation, tearing, gritty sensation in the affected eye, swelling around the eye, and sensitivity to light. Vision may become blurred at a later stage and if left untreated, corneal opacities may occur.

Thus, we can see from the above description that almost all the eye infection symptoms are similar to each other, except for some specific ones. Eye infections are commonly contagious and it is best if they are left to be treated by medical professionals. Proper eye care and prevention is another way through which various eye problems can be kept at bay. Infections normally spread through unhygienic conditions at home or at work and this can be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene and disinfected surroundings.