Eye Infections

Get treated for infections at our Lincoln location

What are eye infections?

Eye infections can occur when any part of the patient’s eye becomes exposed to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. According to Dr. Forgey, an infection can generally affect just one eye or both of the patient’s eyes, manifesting symptoms that include swelling in and around the eyes, redness of the conjunctiva, a persistent itching sensation, discharge on one or both eyes, pain in the eyes, and vision problems. Minor eye infections that is not particularly painful or manifest any other serious symptom may only require simple home treatments. On the other hand, more serious infections will be able to affect the entire eye, such as in the case of periorbital cellulitis, and also the lacrimal slacks in a condition known as that dacryocystitis. Dr. Forgey is adamant about reminding his ophthalmic patients in Lincoln, NE that as soon as they suspect that there is an eye infection going on and visual activity becomes noticeably affected, they must seek medical attention to have their symptoms evaluated by a doctor.

What are the causes of eye infections?

Eye infections can develop from even a small amount of irritation since the eyes are among the most sensitive organs in the body. Foreign materials that enter the eye could easily trigger an infection. Minor eye injuries or anything that could scratch the cornea make also sub secretly bring about an infection. People who wear contact lenses are also prone to the development of eye infections, and may actually experience more severe versions of these infections. Doctors advice these patients that if they think that they are beginning to develop eye infections, then they should remove contact lenses immediately and opt to wear glasses instead.

How are eye infections treated?

To be able to treat an eye infection, doctors need to know what caused the reaction. Depending on what the infecting agent wise, treatment for eye infections could include medicated eye drops, eye creams, or antibiotics.

What are the symptoms of an eye infection?

Patients will usually be able to tell if they are experiencing an eye infection if there is any sort of pain in the eyes. Often, this is accompanied by a feeling of something like a foreign material that seems to be in the eyes. One of the other prominent symptoms of our infections is the presence of watery, bloody, or discolored discharge from the eye. Patients is also complained of increased light sensitivity, redness of the conjunctiva or the eyelids, blurry vision, or the appearance of a white or gray sore spot on the iris or the colored part of the eye.

What kinds of eye infections are there?

Classifying eye infections is generally based on which part of the eye was infected, and what caused the eye infection in the first place.

  • Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, or the membrane that covers the anterior surface of the eye as well as the eyelids. There are three types of conjunctivitis– Viral conjunctivitis, which is the most common type characterized by a noticeable redness of the eye accompanied by tearing and mucous discharges; Bacterial conjunctivitis, identifiable by its mucupurulent discharge with red bumps developing inside the eyelids; and allergic conjunctivitis manifested as swollen, red, watery, and itchy eyes often associated with seasonal allergies.
  • Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids. Patients often complain of a gritty and stinging sensation inside the eyes.
  • Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea
  • Vitritis is the infection of the liquid component inside the patient’s eyes
  • Chorioretinitis is inflammation of the retina and the blood vessels that provides its circulation and nourishment
  • Retinitis is the inflammation of the optic nerve
  • Herpetic keratitis is an eye infection that is caused by a herpes infection that attacks the cornea. During this type of infection the eyes will appear to be red and patients often complain of pain on the infected area.
  • Chalazion is a granulomatous inflammation of the glands that produce the oil component of tears. When these glands become clogged, the lipid component builds up and the pores become inflamed manifesting as a nodular bump on the patient’s eyelid.
  • Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection that triggers chronic follicular conjunctivitis. When left untreated, trachoma will cause scarring on the eyelids, which could Close off the tear glands and lead to a serious variation of chronic dry eyes. It is also one of the leading causes of entropion, or the inward rotation of the eyelids. This type of our infection, along with its complications, has been known to cause blindness.