Pink eye is the most common type of eye infection, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell if it’s something more. While some infections like pink eye can resolve on their own, others can cause permanent damage and require immediate treatment. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, almost one million people seek treatment for an eye infection each year.
A common cause of eye infections is wearing contaminated contact lenses. If your contact lens or the case has bacteria on it, those germs will spread to your eye when you touch the lens to your eye. You could also develop an infection by overwearing your contact lenses, which causes inflammation that could cause bacteria to form.
You could also experience an eye infection after coming in contact with contaminated water. This could be water from a swimming pool, the shower, or washing your contact lens. Finally, you could develop a contagious eye infection like conjunctivitis by coming in contact with someone who has the infection.
People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for any kind of infection including eye infections. If you currently smoke tobacco, research indicates that you are at higher risk for developing an eye infection.
If you wear contact lenses, you are more at risk of developing an infection. To lower your risk, never sleep in your lenses and wash them (and their case) regularly.
Individuals who have experienced certain types of eye injuries could also be more at risk of developing an infection.
Your treatment will depend on what type of eye infection you have. If you have pink eye, don’t rush to treatment as it could be unnecessary.
If you require a topical antibiotic, the medication will be applied directly to your eye in the form of drops or ointment. Sometimes an oral antibiotic is needed. Your doctor may also prescribe steroid eye drops to help calm down the inflammation.
Regardless of what type of infection you’re healing from, your doctor will most likely recommend that you take a break from your contact lenses—hard lenses should be sanitized and soft ones should be replaced.
If you are constantly going out, drinking, not getting enough sleep, ordering takeout every day,… Read More
High blood pressure is considered to be one of the main risk factors that can… Read More
Day by day, more and more people are deciding to exclude gluten from their diets,… Read More
In the last few years, autoimmune diseases have become one of the main subjects among… Read More
If you didn't already know, autoimmune diseases are a constant threat to millions of Americans.… Read More
The older we become, the more we need to take care of what we eat.… Read More