If your eye is red, itchy, swollen or oozy, there’s a good chance you have an eye infection. These infections are common. You could have symptoms in one eye or both of your eyes.
You can treat some mild eye infections with simple care at home. But it’s important to know which steps are safe to try on your own and when it’s time to see a doctor.
Mari Ricker, MD, a family medicine and integrative medicine specialist with Banner University Medicine, explained what can help with an eye infection, what to avoid when your eye is infected and when you should get medical care.
Common signs of an eye infection
Symptoms can vary depending on what’s causing the infection, but you may notice:
- Red, warm or swollen eyelids
- Watery or pus-like discharge
- A gritty or burning feeling in your eye
- Itchy eyes
- Red bump on the edge of the eyelid (stye)
- Crusting on the eyelashes, especially when you wake up in the morning
- Sensitivity to light
These symptoms could be caused by viruses, bacteria or even something not infectious like allergies or another type of inflammation.
One of the most common causes of eye infections is pink eye (conjunctivitis). “Pink eye is a viral eye infection that often happens when you have another viral infection, like a cold. Pink eye is very contagious and often spreads in schools,” Dr. Ricker said.
Safe home treatments to ease symptoms
How you treat an eye infection depends on what’s causing it. If symptoms are mild, these steps may help relieve discomfort.
Use a warm compress
A warm compress can help soften crusts and open blocked oil glands, especially if you have a stye or mild eyelid inflammation.
- Use a clean washcloth
- Soak it in warm (not hot) water
- Place it gently over your closed eyelid(s)
- Leave it on for five to 10 minutes
- Repeat several times a day, using a fresh, clean cloth each time
Keep your eyes clean
Gently washing your eyelids can get rid of discharge and make your eyes less irritated.
- Wet a clean cotton pad with warm water.
- Wipe your eye gently from the inside corner outward.
- Use a new pad for each eye.
- Avoid scrubbing.
- If you have an infection in one eye, practice good hygiene (e.g., not touching your eyes and washing your hands) to help keep it from spreading to the other eye.
Use artificial tears
Artificial tears can help your eyes feel less dry and irritated. These drops don’t treat infections but they can make you more comfortable. Choose versions that don’t contain preservatives.
You shouldn’t use drops labeled “get the red out.” These may reduce redness but they don’t help with the underlying problem.
Stop wearing your contact lenses
If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses until your symptoms are completely gone. Contact lenses can trap bacteria and make it take longer for your eye to heal.
Replace your lens case and disinfect or replace your lenses before you start using them again.
Avoid eye makeup
Do not use eye makeup while you have symptoms of an eye infection. Makeup can spread bacteria and irritate your eye.
After you recover from an infection, it’s a good idea to wash your makeup brushes thoroughly and replace mascara, eyeliner and other products you use near your eyes.
Manage allergy-related symptoms
If your symptoms seem connected to allergies, like itching without thick discharge, using a cool compress instead of a warm one may help.
You may also want to try over-the-counter (OTC) allergy drops but check with your provider first. It’s especially important to talk to a health care professional before using OTC eye drops in children.
What not to do at home
Some common “home remedies” can make your eye infection worse by irritating your eye or introducing bacteria. Do not:
- Rub or touch your eyes
- Squeeze or pop a stye
- Use leftover antibiotic drops
- Apply unproven home remedies like breast milk, tea bags or essential oils
When home care isn’t enough
Mild irritation should start to get better within a day or two. But some infections require prescription treatment.
You may need medical care if:
- Symptoms last longer than 24 to 48 hours
- You have thick yellow or green discharge
- Your eye is very painful
- The area around your eye is swollen
- You develop a fever
- You notice blurred vision or vision changes
- You can’t move your eyeball to look in different directions
- Symptoms started after an eye injury
- You wear contact lenses and symptoms are moderate to severe
Why seeing a doctor matters
For a bacterial infection, you will usually need prescription antibiotic eye drops. Antibiotics don’t work for viral infections or allergic reactions. It’s important to get care quickly, to help prevent complications and protect your vision.
A provider can figure out what’s causing your eye infection and recommend the right treatment.
The bottom line
Some mild eye infections can improve with warm compresses, gentle cleaning and care at home. But not all eye infections can be treated safely without medical care.
If your symptoms don’t improve, are getting worse or affect your vision, reach out to a Banner Health provider for help getting the right diagnosis and treatment. Your eyes are sensitive, so when you’re in doubt it’s smart to get checked.
