Eye infection symptoms include redness, discharge, discomfort, swelling, blurred vision, and itching. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and requires medication. Styes usually go away without treatment, while blepharitis requires antibiotics. Autoimmune diseases and improper contact lens use increase the risk of eye infections.
Eye infection symptoms differ between viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, but some symptoms appear in all three types. Redness in the affected eye is commonly seen in conjunctivitis, eyelid inflammation, and styes. Most infections also produce a discharge from the eye and some degree of discomfort. In some diseases, swelling and blurred vision may be present, along with annoying itchy eyes.
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is a highly contagious disease that can occur in one or both eyes. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or allergies and usually requires medication to cure. Pink eye eye infection symptoms include a red appearance in the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball. Redness may also appear on the eyelids, along with intense itching. This infection can be transmitted through contact with infected people.
A stye on the eyelid also produces eye infection symptoms such as redness and minor pain when blinking. The eye can also tear and become sensitive to light. Styes appear as a lump on the inside of the upper or lower eyelid and usually go away without treatment because the body fights off the bacteria that caused it. Warm compresses can often help relieve discomfort during the healing process.
Another common symptom of eye infection is crusting and burning. These conditions are present in blepharitis, which is inflammation of the eyelid. You may also notice redness, swelling and itching on the inner or outer edge of the eyelid. This bacterial infection requires regular personal hygiene to remove the crust that develops and often antibiotics to kill the infection. For some sufferers, this infection comes back on a regular basis.
People with autoimmune diseases are prone to repeated eye infections, which can lead to blindness. Their compromised immune system makes their eyes vulnerable to infection. Often, medications used to treat underlying medical conditions suppress the immune system. Eye infection symptoms of greatest concern include pain and vision problems, such as distortion or loss of peripheral vision.
Contact lens users are at risk of bacterial eye infections if they do not disinfect their lenses properly and wear them as directed. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infection symptoms seen in contact lens wearers. If left untreated, it could lead to a corneal infection, which is quite painful and could cause scarring of the cornea and loss of vision. Lens solutions formulated to prevent infection should be used.
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