Eye Infections and Treatments

When your eyes start to itch, burn or go red, it’s normally a sign you have an eye infection.

At Yonge St Clair Eye Centre, our qualified optometrists can examine you and provide you with an effective treatment for your eye infection. Eye infections in kids can spread quickly throughout schools, so it is important to be vigilant and teach good eye hygiene.

Common Types of Eye Infections and Treatments

Pink Eye

Pink eye is when the inside of the eyelid becomes red, and is also known as conjunctivitis. This inflammation can be painful and very itchy, and generally leads to an infection. However, it may occur due to other causes, such as irritation or an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of conjunctivitis can include red eyes, burning eyes, itching, swollen conjunctiva, pressure on the eyes, a severe light sensitivity and eyelids stuck together due to secretions. Conjunctivitis can cause tearing and discharge, and infections typically last seven to ten days.

Pink eye is the most common eye infection in kids. It can be very contagious and is generally caused by common colds, so it is important to ensure your children are practicing good handwashing habits.

Conjunctivitis Treatment:

Treatment differs depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis. A distinction is made between bacterial, viral and allergic conjunctivitis. Treatment can be in the form of ointments or gels, cold compresses, artificial tears and antibacterial eye drops.

Styes

A stye is an inflammation of the glands on the eyelid, often triggered by a bacterial infection. Styes may have a pus discharge. There are various possible causes for an infection, such as a lack of hygiene as well as congenital illnesses such as diabetes or a compromised immune system.

Symptoms of styes include pain and pressure in the affected area. It can affect both the upper and lower lids, no matter which gland has become infected, and appear on the outside or inside of the lid.

Treatment for Styes

Sometimes your stye will go away on its own, or with home remedies. Placing a warm clean washcloth over the infected eye can relieve discomfort, and avoiding contact lenses and eye makeup can treat a stye. If your stye persists, you should make an appointment with our eye doctors to determine if antibiotics are needed.

Eyelid Infection (Blepharitis)

Symptoms of eyelid infections can include red, crusty, swollen, itchy and/or burning eyelids, and dandruff at the base of the eyelashes.

We diagnose an eyelid infection by examining the inside of the eyelid, the cornea or taking a test of the eyelid margin.

Treatment for Eyelid Infection

If you are diagnosed with an eyelid infection, our eye doctors will prescribe a custom treatment that addresses the cause of the infection. Treatment options may include medicated eyelid scrubs, eye drops, ointments, or an in office treatment.

Corneal infection (keratitis)

The symptoms of corneal infections vary depending on the cause and point of origin. Symptoms usually include red watery eyes that secrete a watery or pus-like substance.

Treatment for Corneal Infection

The treatment for a corneal infection usually depends on the nature of the infection, which may be bacterial or viral. For a bacterial infection, our eye doctors may prescribe antibiotic eye drops. The drops will limit the spread of the pathogen, and give quick relief.

Eye infections in Kids

Generally, the most common eye infection in kids is pink eye, as it is highly contagious and can be contracted as a symptom of the common cold or as an allergic reaction.

Children with pink eye should stay home from school or daycare until their symptoms clear up.

It is recommended that unless you are administering drops or ointment, you should not touch your child's eyes until there is evidence the redness is clearing up.

We recommend booking an appointment if you suspect your child has an eye infection, as it is important to determine the cause of the infection and begin treatment as soon as possible.