Eye inflammation is common and can be contagious depending on the cause. Typical symptoms are burning, itching and swollen eyes. Read here what can cause an eye infection and how to treat it.
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- © Getty Images/Viktorcvetkovic
Brief overview: Eye inflammation
To form: The conjunctivitis is the most common infection of the eye, eyelid inflammation, a stye or an iris infection are also possible.
Causes: Various triggers from drafts to eye infections with pathogens such as bacteria or adenoviruses to allergies.
Symptoms: Symptoms of eye infections include itching, redness, swelling, watery eyes, and the sensation of a foreign object being present.
Treatment: Depending on the cause, eye rinses, eye drops, medication such as antibiotics or cortisone can be used.
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Eye inflammation: an overview of the symptoms
An eye infection can manifest itself with different symptoms. It depends on the cause and the affected area of the eye. The underlying eye disease can often be suspected based on the symptoms present. However, only an ophthalmologist can make a reliable diagnosis.
Table: Common complaints and their possible causes
| symptoms | form of eye inflammation |
| itch | conjunctivitis, corneal inflammation |
| Burn | |
| tears | |
| discharge | |
| foreign body sensation | |
| swollen eyelid (outside or inside) | Stye, eyelid inflammation |
| impaired vision | Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) |
| red, painful eye | Inflammation of the iris (iritis), inflammation of the middle part of the eye (uveitis) |
| Pain, swollen corner of the eyelid | Inflammation of the tear sac or tear ducts (dacrocystitis) |
As part of the inflammation, pus often forms in the eye. The secretion can be watery at first and later turn yellowish. Due to the purulent mucus, the eye is often sticky in the morning and is difficult to open.
Therapy of eye inflammation
If you have problems with your eyes, it is better to seek medical help. Because even with mild symptoms, contagious conjunctivitis can be present. The correct diagnosis facilitates treatment and reduces the risk of complications and consequential damage.
Depending on the cause of the disease, the following measures are used:
- antibiotic drops or ointments against bacteria
- Antiviral for viral eye infections such as herpes
- Cortisone or antihistamines for allergies
- moisturizing tear substitute
- Flush eyes with saline solution
In order for the eye inflammation to heal completely, the recommendations for use should be followed. In addition, those affected should maintain good hand hygiene and avoid making eye contact if possible.
As long as the eye inflammation persists, contact lens wearers should use glasses. To prevent re-infection with bacteria or viruses, the contact lenses should be disinfected before the next use. In addition, those affected should avoid eye make-up if possible so as not to further irritate the eyes.
When home remedies for eye inflammation are useful
Many people want quick relief from an eye infection and consider home remedies to be obvious. However, the eyes can be sensitive to many substances. This includes, for example, chamomile, which can cause allergies. Therefore, self-treatment should only take place in urgent cases and it is better to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
The following home remedies can help in the short term:
- Compresses with warm or cold water, black tea
- curd toppings
- cucumber or potato slices
- Eye wash with saline solution
- moisturizing eye drops with euphrasia (artificial tears)
All pads should always be placed only on the closed eyelid.
Conjunctivitis: Helpful home remedies and tips!
What can cause an eye infection?
There are a variety of causes behind eye infections:
- Pathogens such as chlamydia, borrelia, herpes viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, fungi
- draft
- UV light
- screen work
- exhaust gases
- chlorine in the swimming pool
- allergies
- stress
There are these forms of eye inflammation
When the eyes water, burn, itch, or swell, different parts of the eye can be affected by eye inflammation:
conjunctiva (conjunctiva) connects the eyelid and eyeball
cornea (Cornea) is hourglass-shaped in front of the iris and pupil
iris (Iris) is colored, in its center is the pupil
medium eye skin (Uvea) include the iris, but also other parts in the center of the eye such as the choroid and ciliary body.
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© iStock.com/solar22
Depending on which part of the eye is affected, the inflammation is named accordingly:
conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) is the most common form of eye inflammation
eyelid inflammation (Blepharitis) is also common
stye (Hordeolum) is a form of eyelid inflammation
corneal inflammation (keratitis) occurs rarely
iris inflammation (Iritis) is also rather rare
uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye
Is an eye infection contagious?
Not every type of eye infection is contagious. While inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infections often carries a high risk of infection, eye inflammation caused by stress or an allergic reaction is not considered contagious. Ultimately, only the ophthalmologist can make a precise statement.
Eye inflammation in the child and baby
Babies and children in particular often suffer from eye infections. Typical symptoms are red, slightly swollen eyes that water and are clogged with secretion. Possible causes are a blocked tear duct that becomes inflamed or conjunctivitis. Since children and babies frequently rub their eyes, pathogens can easily enter.
Parents should go to the pediatrician’s practice as a precautionary measure if they suspect an eye infection. There, the cause can be clarified and suitable treatment initiated – home remedies are not advisable for children and babies.
Diagnosis of eye inflammation
If treatment with home remedies does not work or if the symptoms even worsen, a visit to the doctor’s office is advisable. This also applies if the eyesight deteriorates, the eyes are very sensitive to light or other non-specific symptoms such as headaches occur.
After the anamnesis, in which questions are asked about existing symptoms and possible previous illnesses, a physical examination is carried out. Among other things, the ophthalmoscope and the slit lamp, two special instruments for examining the eyes, are used.
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