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Managing Ocular Infections

What to do if you notice signs of an eye infection

There are many different types of eye infections,¹ which means eye care professionals need to diagnose the problem before they can prescribe the proper treatment.¹ Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications.²

If you think you might have an eye infection because of symptoms like redness, itching or watering eyes,³ visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam.³ You shouldn’t try to diagnose the problem on your own, because an eye infection that doesn’t get the right treatment could damage your sight.¹

Read here about the symptoms of common eye infections and, if you suspect you have one, make an appointment with an eye care professional as soon as possible.

Taking care of your eyes during treatment

Eye infections can happen because of bacteria, viruses or fungi.² They can also be caused by allergic reactions, chemical substances or eye injuries.²

Your ophthalmologist will decide on the best treatment for your type of infection.¹ This might include antibiotic medication, eye drops or topical ointment.²

There are also some steps you can follow to look after your eyes and stop the symptoms from getting any worse:

Avoid touching and rubbing your eyes³
Don’t wear contact lenses until the infection has healed^4,5
Don’t wear any eye makeup until the infection has healed^4,5
Take an over-the-counter medication to help relieve pain and swelling²
If you have a stye or chalazion, don’t squeeze it or try to ‘pop’ it^5,6

Depending on the type of eye infection you have, your eye care professional might recommend gently washing or soaking your eyelids and lashes to keep them clean,⁴ or using warm compresses to help with drainage.⁶

Read these easy step-by-step instructions on how to use an eyelid wash and a warm compress at home.

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Tips for preventing eye infections

Good hygiene can help to prevent common eye infections, by keeping harmful microbes away from your eyes.^4-6

Prevent ocular infections with these hygienic habits:

Wash your hands before touching the area around your eyes⁵
Keep your eyelids and eyelashes clean⁵
Wash your bedding and towels regularly³
Wash your face before bed, to remove dirt and makeup⁵
Don’t use expired eye makeup (eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, etc.); replace it every three months⁵
Don’t share eye makeup with anyone else⁵

If you wear contact lenses, use them as prescribed and take proper care of them:^5-8

Wash your hands before removing or handling your contact lenses^6,8
Keep your lenses clean⁵
Don’t over wear your lenses³
Keep your contact lens case clean³
Always use fresh cleaning solution to disinfect the lenses³
Don’t wear your lenses while sleeping⁸
Don’t wear your lenses while swimming⁸

Read more here about looking after your contact lenses properly.

Avoid the spread of eye infections

If you have an eye infection, there is a risk you can pass it on to other people.³ These tips will help to prevent the spread:

Wash your hands often³
Don’t rub or touch your eyes with your hands³
Wash any bedding, clothing or towels that may have touched your eyes³
Always use a clean towel, cloth or tissue to wipe your eyes or your face⁷
Don’t share your eye makeup or other eye-care products⁵
Avoid touching someone who has an eye infection²

IMPORTANT: If your symptoms get worse, see your eye care professional immediately.¹ Seek emergency medical help if you have eye pain or vision loss.⁸