An eye infection can begin with something as simple as mild redness or watery eyes. You might wake up with crusty eyelashes, notice unusual discharge, or experience irritation that makes wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. While some eye infections clear up with basic care, others can damage the cornea and potentially threaten your vision.
Knowing the common symptoms of eye infection, their causes, and when to seek treatment can help you protect your eye health. From contagious pink eye to more serious infections, recognizing the warning signs is an important first step.
At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, we provide comprehensive and specialty eye care for individuals throughout Arizona. If you are experiencing redness, irritation, or other concerning symptoms, schedule an eye exam to help identify the cause and determine the appropriate treatment. For urgent symptoms, call (602) 955-1000.
Common Eye Infection Symptoms
Eye infection symptoms can vary depending on whether the infection affects the conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids, or deeper structures of the eye.
Some of the most common signs of an eye infection include:
- Red or pink eyes: Increased inflammation makes blood vessels more visible, resulting in a bloodshot appearance.
- Eye discharge: White, yellow, or green discharge may collect around the eye or cause eyelashes to stick together.
- Watery eyes: Excessive tearing can occur as the eye responds to irritation or infection.
- Itchy or burning eyes: Inflammation may create itching, stinging, or a gritty sensation.
- Swollen eyelids: An infected eyelid or surrounding tissue may appear puffy, red, or tender.
- Crusting around the eyelashes: Dried discharge is particularly noticeable after sleeping.
- Eye pain: Discomfort may range from mild irritation to severe pain, depending on the condition.
- Light sensitivity: Bright light may cause discomfort or pain.
- Blurry vision: Discharge may temporarily blur vision, but persistent blurred vision can indicate a more serious problem.
Not everyone with an infected eye experiences all these symptoms. Some infections affect only one eye, while others affect both eyes.
Important: Significant eye pain, new vision changes, or light sensitivity should never be dismissed as ordinary irritation. These symptoms require prompt evaluation by an eye doctor.
What Causes an Eye Infection?
An eye infection occurs when harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, invade or affect the structures of the eye. Your eyes have natural defenses, including tears, blinking, and the immune system. However, these defenses may not always prevent an infection. Several factors can increase your risk of developing eye infections, including:
- Touching your eyes with unwashed hands
- Exposure to someone with contagious conjunctivitis
- Improper cleaning or prolonged use of contact lenses
- Swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses
- Eye injuries or scratches on the cornea
- Sharing contaminated towels, cosmetics, or eye products
- Certain health conditions or a weakened immune system
- Recent eye surgery or procedures
Not every red eye is caused by an infection. Allergies, dry eye syndrome, chemical exposure, and other inflammatory eye conditions can produce similar symptoms. Correctly identifying the underlying cause is crucial, as treatments that are effective for one condition may be ineffective or even harmful for another.
Common Types of Eye Infections
1. Conjunctivitis: The Infection Most People Call Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white portion of the eye and lining the eyelids, becomes inflamed.
The condition is commonly called pink eye because inflammation makes the affected eye appear pink or red.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by a viral infection, a bacterial infection, allergies, or exposure to irritants.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral pink eye is one of the most common forms of infectious conjunctivitis in adults. It frequently develops from adenoviruses, which can also cause respiratory infections and common cold symptoms.
Signs of viral conjunctivitis may include:
- Watery discharge rather than thick pus
- Redness beginning in one eye and spreading to the other
- Burning or gritty sensations
- Swollen eyelids
- A recent cold, sore throat, or respiratory illness
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when bacteria infect the conjunctiva. It can spread through contaminated hands, surfaces, or close contact. Although some cases resolve without medication, an eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment when appropriate.
Common symptoms include:
- Thick white, yellow, or yellow-green discharge
- Eyelids sticking together after sleep
- Redness and irritation
- Mild eyelid swelling
- Discharge that returns after wiping the eye
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis can look like infectious pink eye, but it is not caused by bacteria or viruses.
It develops when the immune system reacts to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold.
Intense itching, watery eyes, and symptoms affecting both eyes are common. Sneezing or nasal allergies may also occur.
Unlike viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
In Arizona, seasonal allergens and environmental irritants can contribute to recurring redness and discomfort. Distinguishing allergies from an actual infection helps avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment.
2. Keratitis (Corneal Infection)
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. Some cases are caused by infections involving bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Infectious keratitis is potentially vision-threatening and requires prompt medical attention.
Possible symptoms include:
- Moderate to severe eye pain
- Intense redness
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing or discharge
- A sensation that something is stuck in the eye
- A white or cloudy spot on the cornea
Contact lens wearers have an increased risk of microbial keratitis, especially when lenses are worn overnight, exposed to water, or cleaned improperly.
One uncommon but serious infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, is associated with exposure to contaminated water and can be difficult to treat. If you wear contact lenses and develop a painful red eye, remove your lenses immediately and contact an eye doctor. Do not continue wearing them while waiting for symptoms to improve.
3. Eyelid Infections: Styes, And Blepharitis
An infected eyelid may cause localized redness, swelling, tenderness, or a painful bump near the eyelashes.
Styes
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, typically develops when bacteria infect an eyelash follicle or oil-producing gland.
Common symptoms include:
- A tender, red bump along the eyelid
- Localized swelling
- Eyelid soreness
- Watering or irritation
- Occasional crusting around the lashes
Blepharitis
Blepharitis can cause redness, crusting, itching, burning, flaky debris, and sore eyelids.
Eyelid symptoms can make the entire eye feel irritated. The eye may water, burn, or look red because the eyelid margin helps support the tear film. When the lid becomes inflamed, the surface of the eye often suffers too.
Warm compresses and lid hygiene may help some mild eyelid conditions, but worsening pain, spreading redness, fever, vision changes, or swelling around the eye needs medical attention. For more details, patients can learn about common causes of eyelid pain.
4. Herpes Simplex Eye Infection
The herpes simplex virus, commonly associated with cold sores, can also infect the eye.
Herpes simplex keratitis occurs when the virus affects the cornea. The infection may develop after the virus reaches the eye or reactivate following an earlier infection.
Symptoms may include:
- Redness, often in one eye
- Eye pain or irritation
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- Occasionally, blisters or a rash near the eye
Without appropriate treatment, repeated or severe infections can lead to corneal scarring and vision loss. If you have a history of cold sores and develop a painful, red, light-sensitive eye, seek prompt evaluation. Do not use leftover steroid eye drops, which can worsen certain herpes eye infections.
5. Orbital Cellulitis
Orbital cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection involving tissues within the eye socket. It can develop when an infection spreads from nearby structures, including the sinuses.
Warning signs include:
- Significant swelling around the eye
- Fever
- Pain when moving the eye
- Difficulty moving the eye
- Bulging of the affected eye
- Double vision or reduced vision
Orbital cellulitis is a medical emergency. It requires immediate hospital evaluation and often treatment with intravenous antibiotics. It should not be confused with mild eyelid irritation or an uncomplicated stye.
6. Eye Infections After Surgery
Although uncommon, infections can develop following eye surgery, injections, or injuries. One particularly serious condition is endophthalmitis, an infection inside the eye.
Increasing pain, worsening redness, or declining vision after cataract surgery or another eye procedure requires immediate attention.
How Are Eye Infections Diagnosed?
An eye doctor can often determine the likely cause of an eye infection through a review of symptoms and an examination. Your eye doctor may examine the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and other structures using specialized equipment and a fluorescein dye test may help identify corneal damage or abnormalities. Certain infections may also require laboratory testing or a sample of eye discharge or corneal tissue.
Primary care doctors and urgent care clinics can evaluate some uncomplicated cases of pink eye. However, suspected corneal infections, severe symptoms, or vision changes generally require specialized eye care.
Eye Infection Treatment: What Actually Works?
The appropriate eye infection treatment depends on the cause, severity, and location of the infection.
A treatment that works for bacterial conjunctivitis may not help a viral infection. Similarly, treating an infected cornea requires a different approach than managing a stye or allergic irritation.
Antibiotics for Bacterial Eye Infections
Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are often prescribed for specific bacterial infections. These medications are effective against bacteria, but not against viruses.
In mild cases of bacterial conjunctivitis, symptoms may improve without the need for antibiotics. However, prescription treatment is advisable if there is significant discharge, persistent symptoms, or a higher risk of complications. More serious bacterial infections, such as corneal ulcers or orbital cellulitis, may require intensive treatment.
Treatment for Viral Eye Infections
Most uncomplicated cases of viral conjunctivitis improve as the immune system clears the infection.
Supportive care may include artificial tears, cool compresses, and careful hygiene.
Antibiotic eye drops do not treat viral pink eye.
Certain infections, particularly those caused by herpes simplex or varicella-zoster viruses, may require prescription antiviral medication.
Treatment for Allergic Conjunctivitis
When redness and itching are caused by allergies rather than an infection, treatment may involve:
- Avoiding known allergens
- Using cold compresses
- Applying lubricating artificial tears
- Taking allergy medication when recommended
- Using appropriate antihistamine eye drops
Treatment for Corneal and Severe Eye Infections
An infected cornea may require frequent use of prescription antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, or other targeted eye medications.
Severe cases sometimes require additional procedures or surgery.
Early treatment is especially important because damage to the cornea can interfere with clear vision.
6 Ways To Prevent Eye Infections
While not all eye infections can be prevented, several everyday habits can reduce your risk.
- Wash your hands regularly. Clean hands are particularly important before touching your eyes, applying eye drops, or handling contact lenses.
- Follow proper contact lens hygiene. Never rinse or store contact lenses in tap water. Use the recommended disinfecting solution and replace your lens case regularly.
- Avoid sleeping in contact lenses unless specifically directed. Overnight wear increases the risk of serious corneal infections.
- Keep personal items separate. Avoid sharing eye makeup, towels, washcloths, contact lenses, or eye drops.
- Replace contaminated products. Discard disposable contact lenses, cases, and any potentially contaminated eye cosmetics, as appropriate, following an infection.
- Protect your eyes from injuries. Wear suitable protective eyewear when working with chemicals, tools, or materials that could injure the eye.
Routine eye examinations can also help identify underlying eye conditions that may contribute to irritation or increase the risk of complications.
Protect Your Vision With Professional Eye Care in Arizona
An eye infection can start with symptoms such as redness, watering, or discharge. However, these signs don’t always indicate the seriousness of the condition. Some infections can improve with simple supportive care, while others may require prescription medication or urgent treatment to protect your vision.
At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, our eye care professionals serve individuals across communities in Arizona. Schedule an eye exam to have your symptoms evaluated. If you experience eye pain, light sensitivity, or sudden changes in vision, promptly call (602) 955-1000 to discuss urgent eye care, or seek emergency care if necessary.