Infections of the Eye

Eye infections can occur due to various reasons. If you suspect that you, or anybody in your family, has any infections of the eye, then it is important to seek medical help. Because, if such infections are left untreated they can cause severe symptoms, and make the condition worse and more painful for the patient. Hence, it is important to get the infection treated immediately, before it gets worse. Here are the various symptoms of eye infections, different conditions caused due to eye infection, and tips on avoiding eye infection.

Symptoms

Given below is a list of eye problems related to infection. With this list you will be able to identify if a person has an infection.

• Continuous itching
• Chronic red eyes
• Flaking of the lids
• Feeling of discomfort in the eyes
• Blurred vision
• Excessive Tear formation
• Discharge from the eyes
• Pain in the eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Reduced vision
• Lump on the eye
• Irritation
• Sensation of a foreign particle in the eye

Possible Causes

Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is one of the most common cause of eye infection. In this condition, inflammation of the conjunctiva, that is thin transparent layers which lines the eyelid and covers the white of the eye occurs. Pink eye condition, which is common in children and known as baby eye infection, is caused due to a viral or bacterial infection. While allergic conjunctivitis is caused due to pollen, cosmetics or animals. Chemical conjunctivitis is caused due to chemicals in swimming pool, fumes, pollution, etc.

Blepharitis:This is an infection of the eyelids, also called granulated eyelids. In this eyelid infection, during the first stage there is eye inflammation and then it progresses to infection.

Fungal Keratitis: This is a fungal infection of the eye, and is a serious and painful corneal disease. This infection occurs mostly in contact lens users. It generally appears after ocular trauma which is linked with plant matter or in immunocompromised patients.

Bacterial Keratitis: In this condition, bacteria infects the cornea and creates an ulcer. This condition occurs generally due to poor hygiene of contact lenses, and rubbing of foreign objects against the cornea.

Other Conditions: Other causes of eye infections are cellulitis, stye, corneal ulcer, trachoma, herpes eye infection, etc.

Prevention Tips

Eye infection can spread through contact. To avoid eye infections, use these tips.

• Wash your hands before and after using medicines for the eyes, also wash them before and after you touch your eyes or face.
• Do not share eye cosmetics with anybody.
• Avoid using any eye makeup till the infection is completely cured, as the make-up might again give you an infection. If you had viral infection of the eye or staph infections in the eye, then dispose off eye cosmetics.
• Never share eye contact lens or solutions with anybody.
• Use glasses while going through eye infection, avoid using contact lenses, make sure you clean your glasses thoroughly after using.
• Avoid sharing other personal items like towels, pillows, or handkerchiefs with others, and get these personal items washed daily.
• If you are touching anybody, while putting eye medicine, then make sure you wear gloves, to prevent the spread of the infection.
• For eye care, use safety glasses, while working with chemicals.
• Avoid exposure of eyes to contaminated water.

If you suspect an eye infection, then seek medical help immediately, for eye infection treatment. The doctor will perform a physical exam, might recommend a test. After diagnosis, the doctor will give you appropriate medicines, that will help you get rid of the eye infection.