Eye Infection - Symptoms - Better Medicine

What are the symptoms of an eye infection?

Symptoms of eye infection commonly include itching, redness, swelling, increased tearing, discharge from the eye, and crust formation around the eye. Symptoms often come on quickly and usually last for one to two weeks with viral infections. Symptoms of bacterial infections will usually clear sooner with antibiotic treatment. Eye infections can often occur in just one eye, but can quickly spread to the other eye.

Common symptoms of eye infections

You may experience all or just a few of these symptoms, and at times any of these symptoms can be severe. Symptoms include:

Burning feeling
Crusting on eyelid margins
Discharge from the eye
Eye pain
Eyelids or eyelashes stuck together when you awaken
Feeling of grittiness or sand in your eye
Increased sensitivity to light
Increased tear production
Itchy eyes
Red, sore eyes (bloodshot eyes)
Swelling of your eyelids and the skin around your eye

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, eye infections can be a serious condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. In addition, symptoms that appear to be caused by eye infections may be caused by anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms including:

Bulging eyes
Extreme sensitivity to light
High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or inability to breathe, labored breathing, wheezing, or choking
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Sudden change in vision, loss of vision, or eye pain
Sudden swelling of the face, lips or tongue

INTRODUCTION

What is an eye infection?

An eye infection is a bacterial or viral infection of the eye or the tissue immediately surrounding the eye. Common eye infections include conjunctivitis, often called pink eye, which affects the membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the whites of the eyes, and blepharitis, which affects the eyelid margin. Although infections of the cornea, the clear “window&rdquo... Read more about eye infection introduction

CAUSES

What causes an eye infection?

Eye infections are almost always caused by either a virus or bacterial infection. Bacteria normally live on your skin, but irritation or a small injury in the eye can let the bacteria into areas where they do not usually reside, causing an infection.... Read more about eye infection causes

TREATMENTS

How is an eye infection treated?

Treatment of your eye infection begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. Treatment approaches used will depend on the type and severity of your eye infection. Viral eye infections generally resolve on their own. Bacterial eye infections often require antibiotics. In many cases, self-care measures and home treatments can make an eye infection less uncomfortable.... Read more about eye infection treatments