You have probably had an eye infection at some point in your life; they are not uncommon during cold and flu season. Eye infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and can affect the eye or the eyelids around it. It’s a miserable situation any time it happens! Here are some of the symptoms you might experience:
- Red eyes.
- Watery eyes.
- Discharge.
- Pain.
- Swelling.
- Light sensitivity.
- Blurred vision.
- Itching.
None of these issues are any fun at all! The very first step you should take when dealing with an eye infection should be to make an appointment to see your eye doctor. Some signs need care right away: moderate to severe eye pain, blurred vision, more sensitivity to light, intense redness, or symptoms that get worse instead of better. A newborn with red or watery eyes should see a doctor right away, and so should a contact lens wearer with pain, redness, or blurry vision. If the office is closed, go to the emergency room. An eye exam done by a professional will be able to get to the root of the problem right away while trying to self-diagnose and treat your issue could actually harm your vision.
If you wear contacts, take them out now and do not put them back in until your eye doctor says it is okay. If you have pain, redness, or blurry vision, see an eye doctor the same day, because contact lens wearers are at risk of a corneal ulcer, a serious infection of the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). Use a new pair once your eye heals. Proper contact lens care needs to be followed at all times. If a problem develops it will only get worse if you continue to wear them. Contacts bring with them an increased risk of fungal and bacterial eye infections in general, so as a wearer you will want to always maintain good hygiene and care for your lenses properly, according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Do not use eye makeup while your eyes are infected, because bacteria can live in makeup. Never share eye makeup.
Bacterial infections may need prescription antibiotic drops or ointment. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Steroid eye drops can make some infections worse, so use them only when an eye doctor prescribes them after an exam. Never put anything in your eye that a doctor has not approved, including breast milk or herbal extracts, and skip red-reducing drops. Do not use old drops from a past infection or anyone else's drops.
If your eyes are red, swollen, or itching, wash your hands often and ask the people around you to do the same. Use a clean towel or tissue each time you wipe your face and eyes. Keep bedding and towels clean, and no sharing!
At Classic Vision Care, Dr. Mital Patel, OD, and our team see red, painful, or infected eyes. Call Kennesaw at (770) 499-2020 or East Cobb at (678) 560-8065.
What is the right eye infection care, and when do you need eye infection treatment?
Good eye infection care starts with checking your symptoms. Most eye infections need an exam to find the cause, and some need care right away.
When to get eye infection treatment right away. Call an eye doctor right away for moderate to severe eye pain, blurred vision, more sensitivity to light, intense redness, symptoms that get worse instead of better, or a health problem that weakens your immune system [1]. If symptoms last longer than 1 to 2 weeks, get checked [1].
Newborns and young children. A newborn with pink eye symptoms, such as red or watery eyes, should see a doctor right away [4]; if the office is closed, go to the emergency room. Eye infections in young children can be very serious, even blinding [2].
Contact lens wearers: take your lenses out. Do not wear contact lenses while your eye is infected [1]. Keep them out until your eye doctor says it is okay [4], and use a new pair once you recover [2]. If you have pain, redness, or blurry vision, see an eye doctor the same day. A corneal ulcer, also called keratitis, is an open sore on the cornea (the clear front window of the eye), and bacterial corneal ulcers are common in contact lens wearers [3]. It can cause severe pain, blurred vision, discharge, and light sensitivity, and untreated it can permanently damage vision or even cause blindness [3].
Never put home remedies in your eye. Never put anything in your eye that a doctor has not approved, including breast milk or herbal extracts [2]. Skip red-reducing drops [2]. For comfort, a cool, wet washcloth and artificial tears (lubricating eye drops sold without a prescription) can help [1][4].
No leftover, shared, or steroid drops without an exam. Do not use old drops from a past infection or anyone else's drops [1][2]. Throw out eye drops used during an infection once you recover, so germs do not spread [1]. Antibiotic drops can treat bacterial infections, but they do not work on viruses [1][4]. Steroid eye drops may make some infections worse, so use them only under an eye doctor's close supervision [3].
Care for an eye infection without spreading it. Wash your hands often, and use a clean towel or tissue each time you wipe your face and eyes [1]. Do not use eye makeup while your eye is infected, and never share eye makeup [1].
Eye infection care in Kennesaw and East Cobb. At Classic Vision Care, Dr. Mital Patel, OD, and the team see red, painful, or infected eyes, and eye pain is a same-day concern during office hours. Call Kennesaw at (770) 499-2020 or East Cobb at (678) 560-8065. If symptoms get worse after hours, such as severe pain or sudden vision loss, go to the emergency room.
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Conjunctivitis: What Is Pink Eye?" (published Jun. 25, 2026)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Pink Eye: Quick Home Remedies" (published Oct. 27, 2026)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, "What Is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?" (published Dec. 4, 2025)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "How to Treat Pink Eye" (April 15, 2024)
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