Eye infections cause lots of discomfort and pain. Some, if left untreated, could evolve into severe conditions. Luckily, eye infections are easy to take note of, and you can seek treatment early.

Here are five of the most common eye infections and their treatment.

Conjunctivitis

Also called pink eye, conjunctivitis is the most common eye infection. It develops when a virus or bacteria infects the blood vessels on the membrane surrounding your eyeball. You could also have it from allergies or exposure to chemicals like chlorine in swimming pools. Conjunctivitis causes your eyes to become inflamed and turn red or pink.

Conjunctivitis is treated according to the form of the infection you have. If bacterial, the eye doctor administers antibiotic ointments, eye drops, or oral medication to kill the bacteria. If allergic, the doctor prescribes antihistamines to relieve the allergy symptoms. If the conjunctivitis is viral, you don’t receive any medication. You only apply a clean, warm, and wet cloth to your eyes to relieve the discomfort.

Keratitis

Keratitis is an infection of the cornea. It is caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or eye injury. Your eyes become red, painful, sensitive to light, teary, and you may lose some vision. The risk factors for keratitis are wearing contact lenses, eye injury, weak immunity, and living in a warm, humid area.

If your keratitis is bacterial, the doctor prescribes some antibacterial eye drops. If caused by fungi, the doctor prescribes antifungal medication or eye drops. If viral, antiviral eye drops or oral medication may stop the infection for a while.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an infection that causes your eyelids to be inflamed. It is caused by the clogging of the oil glands inside your eyelid skin.

Blepharitis causes light sensitivity, eye redness, and a burning sensation. Your eyes also become teary, and you get the feeling that something is stuck inside your eyes. You’re likely to develop this infection if you have dandruff on your eyebrow or scalp or are allergic to makeup. Mites or lice on lashes may also cause Blepharitis.

Blepharitis is treated using lubricating eye drops, antibiotics, and cleaning your eyelids with clean, warm water. You may also apply corticosteroid ointments and eye drops to bring down the inflammation.

Sty

A sty is a pimple-like bump on the eyelids’ outer edge from the swelling of an oil gland. When clogged with oils, dead skin, and other matter, the gland swells, encouraging bacteria multiplication in your glands. You develop a painful, tender sty that makes your eyes tear.

To treat sty, apply antibiotic ointments to kill the bacterial overgrowth. It also helps to have a warm compress for 20 minutes. Also, stay off eye makeup and contact lenses until the eye infection goes away. If you have any pain and swelling, take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen.

Dry Eye

Dry eye is an eye infection caused by inadequate moisture and lubrication. It develops due to eyestrain, allergic reaction, or Meibomian Glands Dysfunction. With dry eye, your eyes become tired, painful, irritated, and red. They may also become sensitive to light and produce stringy mucus. For treatment, the doctor treats the Meibomian glands to unblock them. He may also prescribe decongestants, and antihistamines, among other treatments.

If you experience any symptoms of an eye infection, get medical attention promptly. The sooner the infection is treated, the less likely you are to have any complications. Seek treatment at Plano Eye Associates in Plano, Texas. We offer the finest eye care services. You can also call or text 972-985-1412 for more information or to request an appointment.