Eye Infection: Causes, Treatments, and What to Watch For

When your eye feels red, itchy, or gritty, it might be an eye infection, an inflammation or invasion of harmful organisms in or around the eye. Also known as conjunctivitis, it can strike suddenly and spread fast—especially in kids, contact lens users, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Not all eye infections are the same. Some are caused by viruses, others by bacteria, and a few by allergies or fungi. The wrong treatment can make it worse, so knowing the type matters.

Bacterial eye infection, a common type often linked to staph or strep bacteria usually means thick yellow or green discharge, crusting shut in the morning, and swelling. It needs antibiotic eye drops—over-the-counter remedies won’t cut it. On the other hand, viral eye infection, often tied to colds or flu viruses brings watery discharge, redness, and sometimes light sensitivity. It runs its course in 7–14 days, and antibiotics won’t help. Misusing them can lead to resistant strains, which is why doctors now test before prescribing.

Eye infections don’t always stay in the eye. If left untreated, they can spread to the cornea, eyelids, or even the brain in rare cases. Signs you need urgent care: vision changes, severe pain, or a feeling like something’s stuck behind your eye. Kids with eye infections often get sent home from school—not just to protect others, but because they might be too uncomfortable to focus. Even simple things like sharing towels, touching your eyes with dirty hands, or wearing old contact lenses can trigger an infection.

What you won’t find in most drugstore aisles? Reliable advice on when to stop using eye drops, how to clean your contacts properly, or why some people keep getting the same infection over and over. That’s where real-world experience matters. Below, you’ll find posts that break down the most common mistakes people make with eye infections, how to tell if it’s just allergies, why some treatments fail, and what alternatives doctors actually recommend when standard drops don’t work. No fluff. Just what you need to know to protect your eyes—and avoid the next one.