Eye infections — how to spot them, treat them, and avoid the worst

Eye infections are common and usually treatable, but they can scare you fast when your eye gets red, gooey, or painful. This guide helps you tell the difference between the main types, gives simple at-home care you can try, and explains when to get medical help right away.

Quick ways to tell what you’re dealing with

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the one people see most. If your eye is red, has sticky discharge (yellow or green), and feels gritty, it’s often bacterial and may need antibiotic drops. Watery discharge, itchiness, and both eyes affected after allergies or a cold usually point to viral or allergic conjunctivitis — antibiotics won’t help those. A stye looks like a painful lump on the eyelid. Corneal infections (keratitis) are serious: they cause sharp pain, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. If you wear contacts and your eye hurts, treat it as an emergency.

Practical first aid you can do today

Wash your hands before and after touching your face. Use a clean, warm compress for styes and crusty eyes — hold it on the eyelid for 5–10 minutes, three times a day. For irritation and dryness, preservative-free artificial tears can soothe symptoms. Stop wearing contact lenses until the eye is fully healed and throw away soft lenses used during infection. Don’t share towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup.

If your doctor prescribes antibiotic drops, use them exactly as directed and finish the course. For viral infections, rest, cool compresses, and lubricating drops are the main treatment; antivirals are used in specific viral cases like herpes keratitis. Allergic cases respond to antihistamine eye drops or oral allergy meds. Fungal eye infections are rare but need specialist care and specific antifungal treatments.

Be careful buying antibiotics online. If you consider ordering meds, pick trusted pharmacies and follow our guide on buying medicines safely — never start antibiotics without a proper diagnosis.

Watch for red flags: sudden vision loss, severe pain, intense sensitivity to light, a fixed dark spot, or a red streak spreading from the eye. Those need urgent attention from an eye doctor or emergency room. Also seek help if symptoms don’t improve within 48–72 hours on treatment, or if a baby or someone with a weakened immune system shows signs of infection.

For kids: keep them home from school until discharge has stopped or a doctor says it’s okay. Clean a child’s eye gently with a clean cloth and warm water; avoid over-the-counter antibiotic ointments unless a doctor recommends them.

Prevention is simple: good hand hygiene, careful contact lens care, don’t share face items, and replace eye makeup regularly. If you have recurring problems, schedule a proper eye exam — small issues can turn into big ones if left untreated.

If you’re unsure what you’re facing, a quick call to your primary care provider or an urgent eye clinic can save time and prevent harm. Eyes heal best when treated early and correctly.