An eye infection is an infection of any part of the eye or the tissue immediately surrounding it. Eye infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungus. Common risk factors include allergens or irritants, contact lenses (especially when they’re worn for a long time or haven’t been cleaned properly), exposure to another person with an eye infection, contracting the common cold, scrapes or other injuries, and sharing makeup or other personal care items.
Symptoms of an eye infection include:
- Eye pain
- Discharge from the eye
- Watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Itchiness
- Crusting around the edge of the eyes
- Redness, soreness, and or swelling
- A gritty feeling in your eye
Many eye infections will begin to go away after several days. In some cases, however, eye infections can cause permanent damage to your eyesight and jeopardize your health. Additionally, symptoms of anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially fatal allergic reaction, can sometimes be confused for symptoms of an eye infection. If you experience any severe symptoms, you should seek medical attention promptly.
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis): Pink eye may be caused by a bacterial or viral infection or an allergic response. Newborns may experience pink eye caused by an incompletely opened tear duct. Pink eye symptoms include red and watery eyes, itchiness, excessive tearing, and discharge from the eye.
- Stye (hordeolum): Styes are pimple-like bumps that develop on the outer edge of the eyelid. Like acne, styes are infections caused by clogged pores. Dead skin, excess oil production, or bacteria can lead to the formation of a stye. The symptoms of styes include pain and irritation, swelling, excessive tearing, and crustiness around the eyelid.
- Chalazion: A chalazion is very similar to a stye, in that they are large bumps that develop on the eyelid due to clogged pores. A chalazion may not be as initially painful as a stye, but as they become inflamed it can become swollen, red, and tender to the touch.
- Keratitis: This is an infection of the cornea, caused by a virus, fungus, bacteria, or parasite. Keratitis can cause red eyes, eye pain, excessive tearing, blurred vision, or difficulty opening the eye. Keratitis is usually treated with medicinal eye drops that contain an antiviral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic agent.
- Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the eyelid tissue. The infection is rarely painful but can cause redness and swelling. Cellulitis is more common in children under the age of 2. Most cases of cellulitis can be treated with antibiotics.