Pain, swelling, itching, redness. These are worrisome symptoms to have anywhere on your body. But when they show up in one of your eyes (or both), it can seem extra alarming. An eye infection is likely the culprit. It happens to people of all ages. A virus, bacteria, fungus or allergen is often the cause.
Eye infections aren’t hard to spot, which means you can usually get treatment quickly. But it’s helpful to know which conditions are more worrisome than others. Some can pose serious threats, such as loss of vision.
Here are 6 eye conditions and why you might get them — and when you should see the doctor.
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Conjunctivitis
You probably think of conjunctivitis as “pink eye.” But pink eye is just 1 form of the infection, says Gary Cassel, MD, an ophthalmologist in Baltimore and the author of The Eye Book: A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health.
Overall, conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva, which is the clear tissue covering the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids, is inflamed or infected. Among the likely causes are viruses, bacteria, chemical irritants and environmental pollutants such as smoke, dust and fumes.
There are 3 types of conjunctivitis:
Viral conjunctivitis
This is the most common type of conjunctivitis. It can make your eyes appear pink or red, as well as itchy or watery. Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by the same kinds of viruses that cause colds or the flu. But other viruses can cause pink eye, too, including the ones linked to measles and herpes.
Usually, viral conjunctivitis cases are not severe. They will go away on their own in 7 to 14 days. But in some cases, they could take 2 to 3 weeks to clear up. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drops or a topical medication to speed up the healing. Those might include Zovirax® (acyclovir) or Viroptic® (trifluridine).
An important note: Viral conjunctivitis is easy to give to others. To keep from spreading it, if you have it:
- Don’t have close contact with your friends or family members.
- Wash your hands often.
- Try hard not to touch or rub your eyes.
- Don’t share towels, pillowcases, makeup or eyeglasses with anyone.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
As the name suggests, you get this infection from bacteria instead of a virus. Symptoms include bright red eyes and a thick yellow mucous discharge. It can also spread easily from person to person.
Most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis improve in 2 to 5 days without medication. With more stubborn cases, your doctor may suggest antibiotic eye drops. Those could include Ocuflox® (ofloxacin ophthalmic), Maxitrol® (neomycin, polymyxin B and dexamethasone) or Polytrim® (polymyxin B and trimethoprim ophthalmic).
Allergic conjunctivitis
Your eyes can be sensitive to allergens such as cat hair, mold, dust, pollen and even some eye care products. “Most people who get this have had some allergy-related conditions in the past — issues such as hives, hay fever or asthma,” says Dr. Cassel.
The symptoms include redness, itchiness, excess tearing and swelling. Over-the-counter saline wash and artificial tears may help. There are also stronger antihistamine drops available by prescription. The most common ones are azelastine, emedastine and ketotifen.
How do you know which kind of conjunctivitis you have? It may be hard to tell, since the different types have overlapping signs and symptoms. An eye exam can spot the differences and determine what you should do for treatment, says Jennifer Stone, OD, an optometrist with Levin Eyecare in Baltimore. She recommends scheduling an appointment “for any pink eye type of problem that persists or worsens over a day.”
Stye
A stye is a swollen, red, painful bump at the edge of your eyelid. It looks a little like a pimple, says Dr. Cassel. It’s caused when an oil gland gets clogged and becomes infected. Other symptoms include tearing or oozing, a scratchy feeling inside the eye, or crusting on the eyelid.
Styes are usually caused by bacteria called staphylococcus. One of the most common ways the bacteria is spread is by touching your eyes with your hands. (Make sure you’re soaping up before you put in your contact lenses!) The bacteria might also enter your eye via contaminated makeup. Living or working in environments that are dusty or dirty can also lead to a clog, Dr. Stone says.
Typically, styes aren’t serious. Most go away on their own. Treat the symptoms at home by applying a warm, wet cloth to the sore spot for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times daily.
Steroid injections or drainage may also be helpful, Dr. Cassel says. “If a swelling of your eyelid persists or recurs, you should check with your eye doctor. You want to make sure that it’s not an unusual infection — or even a form of skin cancer,” he says.
Sometimes a stye can evolve into a painless lump called a chalazion, which is an inflammatory reaction to oily secretions in a clogged gland, says Dr. Cassel. Chalazions generally don’t affect your vision. They’re more of a cosmetic nuisance. But if the lump is in the middle of the upper eyelid, it can flatten the central cornea. And that can distort vision. You’ll want to have it looked at.
Recommended reading: 5 exercises that will help improve your eyesight.
Keratitis
Keratitis is when your cornea (the clear tissue on the front of your eyeball) becomes inflamed. The main symptoms of keratitis are:
- Red eyes
- Pain
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred or decreased vision
- A feeling that you have something in your eye
There are 2 types of keratitis: infectious and noninfectious. Infectious keratitis is caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites. The noninfectious kind can happen because of a scratch or injury to your cornea. Another possible cause: using your contact lenses improperly. This includes sleeping in them or putting them in without washing your hands. Allergies may also cause keratitis.
Mild cases of noninfectious keratitis are treated with artificial tears. For more severe cases, the doctor may give you an anti-inflammatory medication. Or they may suggest wearing a bandage to protect the eye.
For the infectious kind, treatments include antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal eye drops or prescription oral medications.
If you think you have keratitis, see your eye doctor immediately. Untreated, this infection can lead to much more serious issues, including scarring of the cornea and temporary or permanent vision loss.
