There are instances when your eyes start itching, and water starts oozing out. Sometimes they turn pinkish or reddish. Most of the time, it is nothing but just dust particles or something stuck under your eyelids.
Can it be more than that? That is the call your doctor has to make. But there are still some cues you can watch out for.
A lot about eye infection depends upon which part of the eye is affected. Symptoms can show up in eyelids, or the cornea which is a surface covering outside of the iris, or conjunctiva, which is a moist and thin area covering the eyelid’s insides and an eye’s outer white part. It is possible to have an infection in both eyes.
Signs Of An Eye Infection
Let us start with what infection of the eyes means. Not to be fooled by the name, there is more than one kind of eye infection.
Pinkeye or conjunctivitis is an infection of your conjunctiva and typically makes a red tint in the eyes. It is usually caused by a microorganism or virus, although from time to time you may get it from a hypersensitive reaction or irritants. Cold is the most common factor causing pink eye. In adults, it’s miles maximum typically as a result of an epidemic, and in children, it is likely bacterial.
Keratitis is a condition where the cornea gets inflamed, most commonly caused by parasites, bacteria, and viruses. This commonly occurs in people who wear contact lenses. A stye is a condition where red and painful bumps pop up under the eyelids or under eyelashes.
This happens when bacteria infect the oil glands of eyelashes or eyelids. They are not contagious and look like pimples.
It’s uncommon to get infections from a fungus, however, they may be caused in extreme cases. Many fungal eye infections appear after eye damage or injury. This can happen if your eye was scraped by a plant, thorn, or stick. This can also happen to people who do not clean their contact lenses.
What are the signs of these infections?
We now know the types of eye infections. But how would you know which type of infection you are experiencing? Following are the symptoms of every major eye infection.
Pinkeye Symptoms
- Redness-One or both eyes change color to red
- One or both eyes feel itchy
- Feeling of grittiness in one or possibly both eyes
- A discharge oozing out of one or both eyes creates a crust during the course of the night, making it difficult to open the eyes.
- Tearing
People who use contact lenses are advised to stop wearing them as soon as they experience pinkeye symptoms. If after 12 to 24 hours symptoms persist, make an appointment with a doctor.
Keratitis Symptoms
- Eye pain
- Difficulty opening eyes because of pain
- Decreased vision
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Eye redness
- A feeling of a foreign object in eyes
- Excess discharge or tears
With proper attention, it can usually be treated without more serious problems. Although, it is advisable to see a doctor if you experience symptoms.
Stye Symptoms
- A red lump similar to pimple under eyelids
- Pain in eyelids
- Tearing
- Swelling in eyelids
Usually, sties are harmless. You can apply clothes for a few minutes. If the symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, make an appointment with your doctor.
Fungal Eye Infection Symptoms
- Eye redness
- Extreme tearing
- Heavy discharge
- Pain in the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Photophobia
If you feel these symptoms, first remove your contact lenses and call your doctor right away. They are quite rare but if left untreated, they can become serious and cause blindness.
Uveitis Symptoms
- Cloudy vision
- Photophobia
- Size of pupil contracting
- Eye redness and pain
- Spots in the eyes
- Headaches
Call your doctor to know if this is caused by infection or any underlying health condition. If it persists, make sure you get proper treatment. If left untreated for a longer time, it can cause vision loss, cataracts, and a detached retina.
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What can you do to prevent catching eye infections?
Make sure you wash your hands frequently. Infections occur when germs present in the environment enter the eyes. Washing hands can curb that. Avoid touching your eyes often.
Do not share towels or cosmetics. This can minimize the risk up to a great extent.
Remove eye makeup before you sleep. This causes blepharitis which is an inflammatory eye infection whose symptoms include redness, itchiness, blurry vision, and the ongoing foreign body sensation in your eyes.
Keep glasses and contact lenses clean. Keep your lenses away from water and maintain glass hygiene. As per the VisiSharp review, it is an all-natural, scientifically proven supplement that targets the real cause of vision loss.
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