Eye Infections

Perhaps your eyes are scratchy and beginning to turn pink. Your doctor will make the ultimate determination as to whether it is an infection, but there are several essential symptoms to look out for that may help.

The symptoms of an eye infection may vary widely. Quite a bit depends on whatever area of your eye is troubled. You could have symptoms in your:

• Eyelid
• Cornea (clear surface that covers the outside of your iris)
• Conjunctiva (thin, moist area that covers the inside of the eyelids and outer white portion of your eye)

Your doctor will need to examine your eye and may need to collect a tissue or fluid sample before determining the best course of therapy for your illness. Sending it to a lab will allow it to be examined under a microscope or placed in a dish to create a culture.

Depending on the results of the lab, your doctor may advise taking oral medicine, applying ointment to your eyelid and eye, or using eyedrops. They may advise different therapies to address those problems if the infection is brought on by a wound, allergy, irritation, or other medical condition. Contact lenses shouldn't be worn until your eye infection has resolved.