How to Diagnose Eye Infections

Eye infections can be viral or bacterial in nature. Contact lens wearers are more susceptible to eye infections due to buildup of bacteria from not properly disinfecting the lenses. Some infections require medication, but others do not. Watch for these symptoms to determine if you have an eye infection or if your eye is just irritated.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for signs of conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye. Symptoms include irritation, redness of the eye, tearing or yellowish discharge. Pink eye is extremely contagious.

2. Observe signs of a sty, which is a small bump on the eyelid. Symptoms include tenderness and redness around the bump, discomfort, light sensitivity and tearing.

3. Watch for corneal inflammation. This could be keratitis and can occur with adults, as well as children. Keratitis does not usually affect a healthy eye, but it can occur if there is a scratch on the eye or if the eye is very dry. Symptoms include pain, swelling of the eyelid, blurred vision, redness and light sensitivity.

4. Detect whether you have dry eyes by looking for certain symptoms. These symptoms may include itching, a burning sensation, irritation, excessive tearing or blurred vision. Dry eyes are caused by environmental conditions, cigarette smoke, contact lenses or reading for an extended period of time.

5. Spot symptoms such as itching, swelling and irritation of the eyelids. These are common symptoms of blepharitis. Blepharitis is eyelid inflammation that can be chronic. Staphylococcus and seborrheic are the two types of the illness. Stahylococcus bleopharitis starts during childhood and is caused by bacteria. Seborrheic blepharitis is caused by abnormal tear film.

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