Common Types of Eye Infections

The team at Deen-Gross Eye Centers has helped countless patients in Merrillville and Hobart improve their vision and overall eye health. This is thanks in large part to our commitment to eye care focused on education, prevention, and effective treatment.

We have helped patients who suffer from different kinds of eye infections at our practice. We'd like to take a moment right now to look at some of the more common kinds of eye infections and briefly note some treatment options and tips for prevention.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

The most commonly known eye infection is conjunctivitis. It's common among young children yet it can affect people of all ages, and it is highly contagious in its bacterial form. Conjunctivitis can be contracted through rubbing your eyes after touching an infected surface (e.g., doorknob, dirty tabletop), sharing towels with someone who's infected, problems with contact lenses, or issues related to allergens in the air.

Styes (Hordeolum)

Styes are a kind of bacterial infection that results in small bumps of the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid. They cause obstructions to the glands of the eyelids that produce oil, which tends to last a week to two weeks. Many times styes are caused by touching or rubbing your eyes when your hands are dirty.

Blepharitis (Eyelid Inflammation)

Blepharitis is a type of eye infection in which the eyelid is inflamed, generally involving the areas of the eyelids in which the eyelashes grow and usually causing small, dandruff-like scales to form around the eyelashes. The most common causes of blepharitis are bacterial infections and a skin condition called seborrhea.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is a type of infection that occurs inside of a person's eyeball. The most common causes of this kind of eye infection are trauma to the eye that leads to the inward spread of bacteria, or complications that arise during or following an eye surgery.

Keratitis

Keratitis is a type of eye infection that involves the inflammation of the cornea, the clear frontal portion of the eye. It can either effect epithelium (the topmost layer of the cornea), a condition known as superficial keratitis, or the deeper layers of the cornea, a condition known as deep keratitis.

Ocular Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus of the Eyes)

Ocular herpes is caused by the type 1 herpes simplex virus, the same kind of herpes that causes cold sores on the lips and the mouth. When suffering from ocular herpes, the cornea may be affected, resulting in scarring and harm to your vision.

Treatments for Eye Infections

The ideal treatment for your eye infection will depend on the nature and cause of the infection. Most bacterial, viral, and fungal eye infections can be addressed through antibiotics and other kinds of medications. These can be taken taken orally, through eye drops, or administered to the eyelids via ointments. To address corneal infections, sometimes it's necessary to scrape away the infected corneal cells.

The ideal treatment option for you and your needs can be discussed in greater detail during your visit to the practice.

Eye Infection Prevention Tips

To prevent eye infections from happening, one of the most important things that you can do is wash your hands. This helps prevent many eye infections since your hands are free from bacteria and other matter that would lead to an eye infection.

In addition to keeping your hands clean, also be sure to clean your contact lenses properly and as directed. This will also cut down on a common cause of many eye infections.

Schedule a Consultation at Deen-Gross Eye Centers

For more information about treating eye infections and what you can do to ensure the best possible health and wellness, be sure to contact our laser eye care specialists today. The team here at Deen-Gross Eye Centers looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve excellent eye health and total wellness.