Signs and Symptoms of Eye Infections

Eye infections can cause a wide range of symptoms, so pay attention to anything that seems unusual for you. The most common sign of eye infection is pain. The pain can be intense or mild, either coming and going or dull but constant. Also, pain is often aggravated by certain things, such as bright lights, touch, or wind. You may also experience frequent tearing and visual disturbances, or evidence of infection could turn up during tests such as DOT physicals. If you experience any of these symptoms, visit Physicians Now Urgent and Walk-In Clinic immediately. Untreated eye infections can lead to permanent vision loss, so time is of the essence.

Another common sign of eye infection is a feeling of “fullness” in the eye as if something is putting pressure on it. Some people experience “foreign body sensation” or the feeling that something is caught in their eye, like a dust particle.

Other signs that could indicate an infection:

• Discharge from the eye, especially if green or yellowish
• Fever that seems to have no other cause
• Blurred vision
• Eyes that tear or water non-stop for no reason

Although you might be tempted to just reach for some eye drops, the truth is that medical treatment for eye infections is needed. At a minimum, you should see a provider to get prescription eye drops.

If you are unsure whether you need to see a provider, pay attention to your symptoms. Pain combined with any other serious complaint, such as vision problems or discharge, merits a call to your provider. Our providers at Physicians Now Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic in Rockville, MD can evaluate your problem and then help you by prescribing the right course of treatment for your symptoms.

Eye infections can develop when harmful microorganisms enter the eye or the surrounding tissues. Common causes and risk factors include:

• Viruses: Viral infections commonly cause conjunctivitis and may occur with a cold, flu, or respiratory illness.

• Bacteria: Bacteria can cause conjunctivitis, eyelid infections, and infections affecting the surface of the eye.

• Fungi: Fungal eye infections are less common but may occur after exposure to contaminated soil, plants, or organic material.

• Parasites: Certain parasites can infect the eye, especially when contact lenses are exposed to contaminated water.

• Poor contact lens hygiene: Wearing lenses too long, sleeping in them, or cleaning them incorrectly can increase the risk of infection.

• Touching the eyes with unwashed hands: Germs can spread directly from the hands to the eyes.

• Sharing personal items: Towels, cosmetics, eye drops, and contact lens supplies can transfer infectious organisms.

• Eye injuries: Scratches, foreign objects, or other damage can allow germs to enter the eye.

• Contaminated water: Swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses can expose the eyes to harmful organisms.

• Nearby infections: Sinus, eyelid, skin, or tear duct infections can spread to tissues around the eye.

• A weakened immune system: Reduced immune defenses can make some individuals more vulnerable to eye infections.

Allergies, smoke, dust, and chemicals can also cause eye redness, itching, and irritation, but these reactions are not always caused by an infection. A medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and determine whether treatment is needed. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, our team can evaluate eye redness, discharge, swelling, irritation, pain, and other possible signs of infection. We review symptoms, examine the affected eye, and consider factors such as contact lens use, recent illness, injury, or exposure to irritants. Based on the findings, our team can recommend appropriate care and explain when further evaluation by an eye specialist may be necessary.

Eye infection symptoms should be evaluated when redness, swelling, itching, discharge, tearing, or eyelid crusting becomes severe, continues to worsen, or does not begin to improve. Medical attention is especially important when symptoms include eye pain, intense redness, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision that remains after discharge is gently cleared.

Contact lens users should seek prompt medical care for unusual redness, worsening pain, sudden blurry vision, excessive tearing, or discharge. Contact lenses should be removed and not worn again until the symptoms have resolved or an eye doctor confirms that it is safe, as these symptoms can be associated with an infection of the cornea.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, our team can evaluate eye redness, discharge, swelling, irritation, and other possible signs of infection. We review the symptoms, examine the affected eye, and consider contact lens use, recent illness, injuries, and exposure to irritants. Based on the findings, our team can recommend appropriate care and explain when further evaluation by an eye specialist is necessary.

Eye allergies commonly cause intense itching, watery eyes, redness, burning, and swelling. They usually affect both eyes and may occur with sneezing, nasal congestion, or a runny nose. Symptoms often develop after exposure to pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, or another allergen. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and generally produces clear, watery tears rather than thick discharge.

Eye infections may cause redness, irritation, swelling, pain, eyelid crusting, and discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis often produces thick yellow or green discharge that can cause the eyelids to stick together, while viral conjunctivitis commonly causes watery discharge and may occur with a respiratory illness. Because allergies and infections can produce overlapping symptoms, the cause cannot always be identified from symptoms alone.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, our team can review symptom patterns, examine the affected eyes, and consider recent illnesses, allergen exposure, contact lens use, and the type of discharge present. Individuals should seek prompt medical attention for eye pain, sensitivity to light, intense redness, worsening symptoms, or blurred vision that does not improve after discharge is cleared. Based on the evaluation, our team can recommend appropriate care or explain when an eye specialist is needed.

With over 21 years of experience in the healthcare field, Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, evaluates eye infection symptoms by reviewing when they began, how quickly they developed, and whether they affect one or both eyes. He asks about redness, itching, burning, swelling, discharge, tearing, eyelid crusting, eye pain, light sensitivity, and vision changes. He also considers recent respiratory illness, allergy exposure, contact lens use, eye injury, and contact with someone who has conjunctivitis.

During the examination, Dr. Olisemeka carefully checks the affected eye and surrounding tissues for visible signs of irritation or infection. He considers whether the symptoms are more consistent with a bacterial, viral, or allergic cause and determines whether additional testing or specialist care is necessary. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, his evaluation helps guide appropriate treatment recommendations and identifies warning signs that may require prompt ophthalmology follow-up. Contact us today for more information. Our urgent care is conveniently located at15215 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Gaithersburg MD, Darnestown MD, Potomac, MD and Travilah, MD, and surrounding areas.