Eye Infections Specialist

What causes red eyes and eye infections?

Red eyes are caused by eye infections; they’re one of the primary symptoms. Other common symptoms of an eye infection include itchy eyes and eye pain, swelling, and discharge.

Eye infections develop when bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade your eye or the surrounding tissues.

Infections can occur inside your eye and on your cornea, which is the clear dome that covers and protect your eyes. However, the most common eye infection is conjunctivitis, or pink eye.

What is conjunctivitis?

The conjunctiva is a clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye. When it’s infected, it becomes inflamed and blood vessels enlarge, creating its characteristic pink or red color.

There are two types of contagious conjunctivitis:

Viral conjunctivitis

The most common type of pink eye, viral conjunctivitis arises from the same viruses that cause a cold or upper respiratory tract infection.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Typically caused by staph or strep, bacterial conjunctivitis produces a discharge and makes your eye sore.

You can also develop allergic conjunctivitis, which is an eye allergy to airborne substances such as pollen, mold spores, and dust mites. Unlike pink eye, allergic conjunctivitis isn’t contagious.

Can my eyelids get infected?

Blepharitis and cellulitis are two infections that affect your eyelids. Cellulitis may be limited to an eyelid infection, or it can begin in the eye socket and cause eyelid swelling.

Blepharitis arises from a bacterial infection that begins at the base of your eyelashes and leads to red, swollen eyelids. The infection could also be due to inflamed oil glands.

What other eye infections commonly occur?

Two other eye infections — uveitis and keratitis — require immediate medical care because they can cause permanent vision loss.

Uveitis

Uveitis develops in the middle layer of your eye, called the uvea. This infection can develop suddenly, causing symptoms such as a red eye with or without pain, blurry vision, and floaters.

Keratitis

Keratitis is a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection of the cornea. You have a higher risk of developing keratitis if you wear contact lenses and don’t follow the appropriate care and cleaning instructions.

When you have keratitis, also called a corneal ulcer, your cornea is swollen or inflamed, your eye becomes red and painful, and your vision may be affected.

Call Valley Eye Professionals for treatment when you develop symptoms associated with any type of eye infection.