Viral eye infections can cause symptoms such as redness, discharge, burning, and excessive tears. In severe cases, there may be blurry vision, muscle twitching, and permanent vision loss. The infections can be spread through hand contact and sharing towels, and can lead to other eye diseases. Contact lens wearers are at risk and advised against sleeping with lenses.
There are several symptoms that can occur with a viral eye infection, depending on the type of virus causing the infection. Viral conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, often produces a velvety, prickly discharge. Other symptoms of a viral eye infection include burning in the affected eye and excessive tears. Pain and redness are other common symptoms of a viral eye infection.
Microbiological eye infections can occur when a virus enters the eye. Often, this occurs when a person gets the virus on their hand and then rubs their eye. Even sharing a towel can spread the infection. The first obvious sign of a viral eye infection is commonly redness or discoloration around the eye and inside the eye.
Some eye infections will produce more severe symptoms, which can also include blurry vision or subtle changes in vision. If left untreated, this can lead to permanent vision loss. Other symptoms of more advanced and serious eye infections can include muscle twitching of the eyelid or eye. Eyelid swelling is another common symptom of a viral eye infection.
When suffering from a viral eye infection, some people may experience intense itching on the eyelid and inside the eye itself. In some cases, the burning and itching can be mistaken for other conditions, such as seasonal allergies. With eye infections, however, there can be noticeable cloudiness that affects vision. In some cases, there may be a discharge of pus from the eye. Crusted skin can form at the corner of the eye or on the eyelid.
Occasionally, viral eye infections can cause permanent scars to form on the cornea. Herpes keratitis, although it usually affects the cornea of the eye, can heal completely with treatment and medication. This type of eye infection can also cause discomfort when the eyes are exposed to bright light.
In rare cases of viral eye infections, damage to the retina can occur. Some advanced symptoms may include constant blinking and inability to keep the affected eyelid open. Some experts believe that recurring viral eye infections can make an individual more prone to developing other eye diseases, such as glaucoma, later in life.
Although most viral eye infections produce symptoms soon after the individual is infected, there are cases where the infection remains dormant within the eye. If so, symptomatic problems may not develop until well after exposure. Infections of this type can occur in individuals who wear contact lenses, as viruses and bacteria are transmitted through wear. For this reason, many ophthalmologists advise against the use of contact lenses while sleeping.
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