EYE INFECTIONS

There are many ways eyes can get infections from bacteria, fungi or viruses. This can occur in different parts of the eye and can affect just one eye or both. Two common eye infections are:

• Conjunctivitis – Also known as “pink eye”. Conjunctivitis often occurs due to an infection. Children frequently get it, and it is very contagious
• Stye – A bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from your skin enters eyelash hair follicles, resulting in bacterial infection
• Symptoms of ocular infections may include redness, itching, swelling, discharge, pain, or problems with vision. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection and may include compresses, eye drops, creams or antibiotics.

Signs of an eye infection may include:

• Pain in the eye
• A feeling that something is in the eye (foreign body sensation)
• Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Yellow, green, bloody, or watery discharge from the eye
• Increasing redness of the eye or eyelids
• A gray or white sore on the colored part of the eye (iris)
• Fever with no other cause
• Blurred or decreased vision

Your eyes may often water or tear up. You may notice a small amount of white or creamy drainage at times. If you have no pain or other symptoms, home treatment is usually all that is needed. More serious infections affect the entire eye area or the lacrimal sacs. Any signs of infection along with a change in your vision or other symptoms need to be evaluated by a doctor.

HOW DO EYE INFECTIONS DEVELOP?

Infection can develop in the eye from irritation, such as getting a small amount of a chemical in the eye. Infection can also occur after a minor eye injury or a small scratch on the cornea. If untreated, some types of eye infections can damage the eye very quickly. Infections can be more severe in people who wear contact lenses. If you think you may have an eye infection, remove your contacts and wear your glasses. Shingles affect the nerves of the eye and can cause symptoms, such as swelling, pain, and drainage, similar to the infection of the eye. If the eye has been injured-scratched, cut, punctured, or burned, a current tetanus shot is recommended.

All these medical treatments are available at Fox Medical Centers in Florida.

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