Eye Infection
What is an eye infection?
An eye infection is a condition in which dangerous bacteria, viruses, or fungi get into your eyes or eyelids. Eye infections can affect any part of your eye, but they’re most common in the cornea — the cover of your eye — and the conjunctiva, the eyelid lining.
What are the different types of eye infections?
Eye infections are generally categorized as bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial eye infections often develop when you touch something contaminated and then rub your eye. You can also get bacterial eye infections from contact with someone who’s infected. Sometimes, an infection like acute sinusitis could spread from your nose to your eyes.
Viral Infections
Viral eye infections are very contagious. Usually, viral eye infections develop after airborne exposure, so you could develop a viral eye infection from the coughing or sneezing of someone with this type of infection. A viral eye infection can also start with a serious cold or the flu.
Fungal Infections
Fungal eye infections are quite rare. They can occur when a contaminated object, for example, a tree branch, injures your eye.
You can also develop an eye infection because of eye issues caused by severe allergies.
What are the signs my eye is infected?
The signs of an eye infection often include:
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Eye pain
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Itchy eyes
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Swollen eyes
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Hot-feeling eyes
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Pink or red eyes
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Watery eyes
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Eye discharge
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Blurry vision
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Eyelid bump (stye)