Eyes are extremely sensitive parts in one’s body. They can easily get infected, red, and itchy. Some eye infections and diseases may be more serious than others. It is always best to get them checked as soon as a disturbance is felt.

The most common eye infection symptoms are

• redness,
• itchiness,
• eye pain,
• watery eyes,
• discharge,
• photosensitivity,
• inflammation,
• dry eyes, and
• impaired vision.

Types of eye infections

There are a variety of eye infections and diseases one can contract, such as

• Pink eye or conjunctivitis
  Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious infection that can spread quickly through the air. It is quite common and is mostly present in children. It could be a bacterial or a viral infection. It is characterized by redness of the eyes and itchiness. Special eyeglasses are worn to prevent passing the infection to others until the pathogen is eliminated from the patient’s eyes.
• Keratitis
  It is an infection that is waterborne and affects one’s cornea. It is caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. Fungal Keratitis is caused by a fungus called Fusarium fungi commonly present in organic material. This can enter one’s eye through a contact lens solution, penetrating injuries, etc. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a parasitic type of infection. One of the main risk factors for this type is to swim with contact lenses on. Proper cleaning should be followed by users to prevent these eye infections and diseases.
• Trachoma
  The eye infections and diseases type of are widespread in underdeveloped regions, making trachoma one of the leading causes of blindness. It can be spread by flies in unsanitary neighborhoods. It affects the inner eyelid, which causes scarring. This results in the patient’s eyelashes to rub against the tissues on the cornea causing abrasions. These abrasions eventually lead to blindness. Oral antibiotics can help reduce the effects of trachoma.
• Stye
  A stye is characterized by painful red bumps under one’s eyelid or at the base of their eyelashes. It is caused by bacterial pathogens that affect the oil glands in the eyelid.
• Uveitis
  It is linked to inflammatory diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It affects the middle layer of one’s eyes called the uvea. Doctors generally recommend against contact lenses until the infection is completely removed.
• Endophthalmitis
  When the interior of the eyes is penetrated by an eye infection, as in the case of endophthalmitis, failure of immediate treatment can result in permanent blindness. This can occur due to a penetrating eye injury or cataract surgery. Every time the inner eye is exposed by penetration, there is always the risk of acquiring endophthalmitis. It can also be caused by mold if it enters the interior of a person’s eye.

Most eye infections and diseases clear by themselves or can be treated easily with ointments, eye drops, or compresses. Viral infections mostly resolve automatically. Doctors may prescribe steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation when the patient has serious viral infections.