Eye
Infections:
Your Eye Infection Can Have Many Causes
Whether they affect
one eye or both, eye infections can be sudden and frightening. Since
eyesight is terribly important and the eyes seem so susceptible
to damage, just the thought of eye infections is alarming. You may
think of the eye as one body part, but eye infections can be located
in different parts of the eye and have different symptoms.
Eye infections
can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. One of the most common
eye infections is a pink eye infection,
also known as conjunctivitis. A stye is another well-known eye infection.
Symptoms of eye infections can be as varied as redness, itching,
pain, vision problems, and discharge. Here are some common eye infections
and a brief description of each:
Pink eye
infection (conjunctivitis): This is one of the most common
and contagious eye infections and it is often found in children.
Pink eye causes swelling in the tissue that lines the inside of
the eyelid. Pink eye may be caused by a bacteria, virus, allergen,
or substance like shampoo, dirt, or smoke.
Stye or
sty: A stye is a painful, red bump on the edge of your
eyelid or inside your eyelid. The bump of a stye may resemble a
pimple or boil and it is usually filled with pus. The stye also
causes symptoms of light sensitivity and tearing. Styes are caused
by a bacterial infection that develops near the root of an eyelash.
Blepharitis:
Blepharitis is a common eye infection that results in eyelid inflammation.
Blepharitis is usually caused by bacteria or scalp dandruff.
Dacryocystitis:
Dacryocystitis is an infection of the lacrimal sac, or tear sac,
which is a small chamber where tears are able to drain. Dacryocystitis
occurs because of a blockage of the nasolacrimal duct and a bacterial
infection, causing the eye to ooze, become red, and be watery.
Disturbances in
vision, pain in the eye, swelling, and redness are all indications
that you may have been exposed to one of the many eye infections
that are contagious, or these symptoms could be related to eye
allergies. Receiving quick care for your eye infections and
allergies is important so that the ailment does not spread to the
other eye or cause eye damage.
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