The eye can be infected by a variety of different types of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Each of these contaminants causes different disorders, but generally eye infections are characterized by irritation or pain, redness or inflammation of the eye, discharge from the eye, and visual disturbances. Contaminants can infect one or both eyes, and can result in vision loss or blindness. The most common eye infections are conjunctivitis, stye, and infections due to allergies. See a doctor immediately if you experience pain or vision problems. If your eye infection is mild, there are a number of helpful home remedies to relieve the symptoms.
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Method 1 of 5: Treating Conjunctivitis
Step 1. Understand conjunctivitis
Pink eye or conjunctivitis is very contagious. There are two types of conjunctivitis, which are caused by bacteria and viruses, and both are generally transmitted through hand-eye contact, or sharing items such as pillows and makeup. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, but unfortunately, antibiotics are not helpful in treating viral conjunctivitis. Viral infections will go away on their own, usually within 2 to 3 weeks. The best way to treat red eye naturally is to treat the symptoms. This will reduce discomfort and help relieve your symptoms.
- Viral conjunctivitis is usually caused by adenovirus, picornavirus, rubella, rubeola, and herpes viruses.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually caused by Staphylococcus, Haemophilus, Streptococcus, and Moraxella. This disease is often transmitted by contact with fecal bacteria.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of conjunctivitis
Common symptoms of conjunctivitis are redness of the eye (which is why it's called pink eye), itching, a hard discharge from the eyelids during sleep, and a feeling like there are granules or irritation in the eye.
Step 3. Use a compress
Try warm (not too hot) and cold compresses to determine which one works best for you.
- Wet a clean washcloth or small towel with tap water. Start with cold water, as this option is generally considered the most soothing to the eyes.
- Squeeze the towel.
- Apply it to one or both eyes, depending on the infection you have.
- Lie down and keep the cold compress on your eye for as long as it takes until the pain and irritation subsides. Wet again if necessary.
Step 4. Use lubricating eye drops
Although they can't treat infection, over-the-counter eye drops can reduce redness and irritation of the eyes. Use this medication to lubricate the eyes at the frequency recommended in the instructions for use.
- Wash your hands before and after touching the area around the eyes.
- Lie on your back before applying eye drops.
- Put 1 drop of medicine into the eye that hurts.
- Close your eyes immediately after the eye drops, and keep them closed for about 2 or 3 minutes.
Step 5. Avoid wearing contact lenses
Contact lenses can trap conjunctivitis inside the eye and prolong the symptoms of the infection. Throw away all contact lenses that have come into contact with the affected eye.
Step 6. Get used to living clean
People of all ages can be infected with pink eye. You don't have to be ashamed of it. The most important thing is to prevent the transmission and recurrence of this infection.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. This is especially important before touching your face or eyes.
- Don't share makeup, washcloths, or face towels with other people.
- Throw away any makeup and disposable contact lenses that may have become infected.
- Wash sheets and bedding that may have come into contact with your face while you have conjunctivitis.
Step 7. Ask your doctor about taking antibiotics
If your infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help treat it.
Method 2 of 5: Treating Stomach
Step 1. Understand about stye
A stye usually appears as a red bump on or around the eyelid, which is often filled with pus. Styes occur when the oil glands in the eyelids become infected, most often the result of Staphylococcus bacteria. There are 2 types of stye, namely hordeolum, which infects the sweat or sebaceous glands of the eyelids, and chalazions, which specifically infect the meibomian sebaceous glands of the eyelids. This infection will usually go away on its own, but can be quite painful.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of a stye
The most common symptoms include:
- Small red bumps that resemble pimples on or around the eyelids.
- Pain and irritation on or around the eyelids.
- Excessive tear production.
Step 3. Understand who is at risk for it
Anyone can get an eye infection like a stye, but there are certain activities that increase the chance of infection.
- Anyone who touches their face and eyes without washing their hands can get a stye.
- Everyone who wears contact lenses that have not been cleaned before is at risk of getting a stye.
- Anyone who puts on eye makeup overnight without cleaning or removing it before going to bed is at risk of getting a stye.
- Some patients with co-existing health conditions such as rosacea, a skin disease, or blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids, are at higher risk of getting a stye.
Step 4. Let the stye heal
Do not try to break the stye. This can actually exacerbate and expand the infection.
Step 5. Treat the symptoms
The best way to treat a stye is to relieve the symptoms while waiting for the infection to clear up.
- Gently wash the infected area. Do not rub or rub the stye vigorously.
- Compress with a warm washcloth. Re-wet the washcloth as needed, and apply for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup until the infection clears up.
Step 6. Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
Increasing your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids can relieve some of the symptoms of a stye infection by increasing the production of the sebaceous glands.
Method 3 of 5: Treating Blepharitis
Step 1. Understand about blepharitis
Blepharitis is chronic inflammation of one or both eyelids. The disease is not contagious and is often caused by a bacterial infection (Staphylococcus) or long-term skin problems such as dandruff or rosacea. Blepharitis can also be caused by excessive oil production in the eyelids which triggers a bacterial infection. There are 2 main types of blepharitis infection, namely anterior which attacks the outer edge, and posterior which attacks the inner edge of the eyelid.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of blepharitis
The most common symptoms of blepharitis include:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Watery eyes
- Sticky eyelids
- Sensitivity to light
- Constant itching
- The appearance of a brittle "crust" layer
Step 3. Know who is at risk for it
People of all ages can be infected with blepharitis. However, those with co-existing skin problems such as dandruff or rosacea are often at higher risk.
Step 4. Treat the symptoms
There is no cure for blepharitis, so the best treatment is to treat the symptoms to reduce the pain and irritation.
- Use a warm washcloth compress. Re-wet as needed, and apply for 5 to 10 minutes several times each day.
- Gently wash the eyelids with a non-irritating baby shampoo to remove the crust and debris from the eyelids. Be sure to rinse your eyes and face after washing them.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup while you are infected.
- Massage the eyelids as needed to remove excess oil. Always wash your hands before and after touching your eyes.
Step 5. Consider using antibiotics
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as azithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, or tetracycline to treat blepharitis infection.
Method 4 of 5: Treating Keratitis
Step 1. Understand about keratitis
Keratitis is an infection of all parts of the cornea and conjunctiva in one or both eyes. Symptoms may be short-lived or chronic. Symptoms usually include pain and redness, as well as irritation of the eyes, excessive discharge or tears, difficulty opening the eyes, blurred vision, or decreased vision, and sensitivity to light. See your doctor immediately if you suspect you have keratitis. Delay in treating keratitis can result in permanent blindness. There are several types of keratitis, each of which is distinguished by its cause.
- Bacterial keratitis usually caused by infection with Staphylococcus, Haemophilus, Streptococcus, or Pseudomonas bacteria. Bacterial infection is often accompanied by damage to the surface of the cornea, leading to ulcer formation at the site of infection.
- Viral keratitis It can be caused by a number of viruses, including the common cold virus. This disease can also be caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus, or the herpes zoster virus which causes chickenpox and shingles.
- Fungal keratitis often caused by Fusarium spores which tend to grow on dirty contact lenses. People with weakened immune systems can get keratitis from Candida, Aspergillus, or Nocardia spores, although it is rare in healthy people.
- Chemical keratitis caused by exposure to chemicals, either from wearing contact lenses, splashing chemicals or fumes, or being submerged in irritating chemicals such as swimming pools or hot tubs.
- Physical keratitis It is caused by a variety of eye trauma, including exposure to UV light and welding flames.
- Onchocercal keratitis caused by a parasitic amoeba that can attack contact lens wearers. This keratitis causes a disorder known as "river blindness". This disease often occurs in third world countries, but is quite rare in other countries.
- Keratitis sicca and filamentary It is an inflammation of the surface caused by very dry and irritated eyes near the tear film.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of keratitis
Symptoms generally include:
- Painful
- Redness
- Irritation
- Excessive discharge or tears
- Difficulty opening eyes
- Blurred vision or decreased vision
- Sensitivity to light
Step 3. Understand who is at risk for it
Anyone of any age can get keratitis, but certain factors make some people more prone to developing keratitis.
- Everyone who has damage to the surface of the cornea is at higher risk for this infection.
- The use of contact lenses can increase the chance of being infected with keratitis.
- Chronic or severe dry eye conditions can lead to a higher risk of infection.
- A weakened immune system due to AIDS or certain medications such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy can put you at a higher risk of infection.
Step 4. Treat keratitis
Immediately visit a doctor to get antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral drugs to treat keratitis. Your doctor may also prescribe steroids to treat inflammation caused by keratitis. After visiting your doctor, there are a number of ways you can treat keratitis symptoms at home and supplement the medications your doctor prescribes.
- Use lubricating eye drops. Although they can't treat infections, over-the-counter eye drops can help reduce redness and irritation of the eyes. Use eye medication according to the frequency recommended in the package. Also, tell your doctor about any over-the-counter medications you want to apply to your eyes.
- Stop wearing contact lenses while you have an infectious keratitis. Throw away any disposable contact lenses you have worn while you were infected with keratitis.
Method 5 of 5: Treating Eye Irritation Due to Allergies
Step 1. Be aware of eye irritation due to allergies
Allergies can cause non-infectious conjunctivitis. This eye infection can be caused by pet dander, or the environment, such as pollen, grass, dust, and mold.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms
Symptoms generally include:
- Itchy and irritated eyes
- Redness and swelling
- Excessive tearing
Step 3. Understand who is at risk for it
Anyone can get allergic conjunctivitis. The main risk factor is suffering from environmental/seasonal allergies.
Step 4. Try using over-the-counter medications
Using an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine can help reduce the symptoms of eye irritation from allergies. Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend an over-the-counter mast-cell stabilizer such as lodoxamide eye drops to treat symptoms of general allergic irritation.
Step 5. Treat the symptoms
Your doctor may recommend taking an antihistamine to calm your body's reaction to the allergen. Some home remedies may also help relieve symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
- Rinse eyes with clean water. Some people who try it find cold water cooler, but others may prefer to use lukewarm water.
- Use a cold, wet tea bag. When you've finished your cup of tea, take the tea bag. Once cool, apply it to the sore eye for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat up to 3 times a day.
- Try using a cold washcloth compress. This treatment can help relieve the irritation and inflammation that accompanies allergic conjunctivitis.
