Your eyes can get infections from bacteria or viruses, and eye infections can happen in different parts of your eye, and can affect one eye or both. At 2020 Vision Place, our Sunrise eye doctor offers expert treatment of eye infections using the most progressive instruments, such as the Reichert digital vision chart which ensures an accurate eye exam. Also known as pinkeye, one common eye infection is conjunctivitis. Children frequently get it and it is highly contagious. Another common infection is a stye, a bump on the eyelid that appears when bacteria from your skin gets into the hair follicle of an eyelash. Symptoms of some eye infections may include redness, swelling, discharge, itching, pain, or problems with vision. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection but the contagious nature of these infections must be taken very seriously, especially with children playing and at school.
Contact lens wearers are at risk of encountering parasites that enter the eye and cause a serious sight-threatening infection called keratitis. This is why our Sunrise eye doctor educates our contact lens wearing patients to be aware and observe and practice certain safety tips, such as avoiding swimming while wearing contacts. If you do wear contact lenses when swimming or relaxing in a hot tub, make sure you remove and disinfect your lenses immediately afterward. Fortunately, most common bacterial eye infections clear up with prompt treatment, such as prescription antibiotic eye drops, ointments, and compresses. Many common viral eye infections resolve on their own but in cases of severe viral eye infections, an antiviral eye drop can be prescribed. Some viral eye infections will require careful administration of steroid eye drops at 2020 Vision Place, to reduce related inflammation. You can prevent eye infections by washing your hands before touching your eyes or eyelids and before handling your contact lenses.
Depending on the underlying cause of your eye infection, our Sunrise eye doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications that are taken orally. If your symptoms change or worsen, contact us immediately. Our patient-focused practice wants to make sure you aren’t living too long with any type of eye infection so make sure to call our Sunrise eye doctor as soon as any symptoms appear.