Common Signs of an Eye Infection
Eye infections are very common, and can affect any part of the eye, including the eyelid, cornea, and retina. While most eye infections resolve on their own with minimal or no treatment, some can be dangerous if left untreated. Therefore, it’s always important to seek prompt medical attention if you experience eye pain or other problems.
Your eyes may occasionally water, or tear, for a variety of reasons. Also, you might notice a small amount of white drainage, which on its own is not a cause for alarm. However, any signs of infection should be evaluated and diagnosed by a doctor.
Some common symptoms of an eye infection include:
- Eye pain
- Redness of the eye and/or eyelid
- Blurred or decreased vision
- Sensitivity to light
- A sensation of a foreign body in the eye
- Heavy discharge from the eye
- Fever with no apparent cause
An eye infection can be caused by an underlying viral, bacterial, or fungal agent. In most cases, the symptoms can be treated with warm or cool compresses, eye drops, creams, or antibiotics. However, viral infections like conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” are highly contagious. Therefore, if the infection is caused by a virus, treatment will typically involve staying home from work or school and applying a prescribed anti-infective topical solution or ointment.
Depending on the underlying cause, an eye infection can last for several days or weeks. If the symptoms worsen, or if new, unexplained symptoms appear during treatment, you should contact a doctor immediately.
At South Tampa Immediate Care, our experienced medical staff can treat non-emergency eye infections quickly and effectively. Our walk-in clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no appointment is ever necessary to see one of our doctors.
