It's important to take eye infections seriously. While some infections will clear up on their own, sometimes an infection can damage the eye and cause permanent vision loss if it isn't treated. Serving St. Joseph, South Haven, Benton Harbor, and Stevensville, Advanced Family Eye Care PC can diagnose an eye infection and provide the proper treatment.
The Most Common Eye Infections
If your eye is itchy, swollen, red, or otherwise irritated, your eye may be infected. Let’s look at some of the most common types of eye infections.
Conjunctivitis
Commonly known as pink eye, this eye infection is frequently seen in children. It can be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or allergies. In addition to redness and irritation, it's common for infected eyes to produce discharge.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a type of infection that causes the eyelid to become inflamed. It frequently occurs when the oil glands in the eyelids get clogged, but it may also be caused by bacteria. Symptoms include irritated eyes and eyelids and increased sensitivity to light.
Keratitis
Keratitis causes the cornea to swell. While it's frequently caused by infections, it can also be caused by eye injuries. This infection can be serious, and you should seek immediate treatment if you're experiencing symptoms of keratitis. These symptoms include blurry vision, abnormal discharge from the eye, and eye pain.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis occurs when the tissue of the eye is infected and is typically caused by a scratch or another type of injury. When there are open wounds around the eye, bacteria can make their way into the wound, leading to an infection. While it usually doesn't cause eye pain, it can cause the skin around the eye to swell.
Treating Eye Infections
While an eye infection can cause serious discomfort, most infections are treatable. After your optometrist examines your eye and diagnoses your infection, we may recommend anti-fungal or anti-bacterial eye drops or oral medications. You may also be advised to clean your eyelids to remove bacteria from the eyes.
In addition to treatment for your infection, you may be advised to make certain lifestyle changes until the infection clears up. For example, you might be told to stop wearing contact lenses or to clean your eyes using fragrance-free soap and water.
Don't Wait to See an Optometrist
If you don't treat an infection, you could suffer serious problems. Some eye infections are even contagious, which is why swift treatment is so important. Advanced Family Eye Care PC has locations in St. Joseph, South Haven, Benton Harbor, and Stevensville, MI. We are here to help you clear up your eye infection. Call our team today at (844) 398-4022 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.