Your primary care physician is generally the first point of care when it comes to health concerns. They play a pivotal role in managing and maintaining your overall health.
When it comes to vision care, an optometrist plays a similar role.
Visiting your eye doctor when you have eye health or vision concerns—like, for instance, an eye infection—can be a good choice. Optometrist have the knowledge and expertise to treat and manage concerns that aren’t necessarily the focus of a primary care physician.
When it comes to eye infections, an optometrist can:
- Accurately diagnose the type of infection
- Target the root cause
- Assess ocular health
- Develop a personalized treatment plan
Understanding Eye Infections
A hallmark characteristic of an eye infection is red, itchy, and irritated eyes.
Eye infection occurs when harmful microorganisms invade the eye or surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Not all eye infections are the same.
Infections can target different parts of the eye, like the conjunctiva, cornea, or eyelids, impacting your quality of vision and ocular health.
Each of these infections varies in their onset and progression, though they can have overlapping symptoms. But the difference in their development means that the approach to treatment will also vary accordingly.
Depending on the type and severity of infection, symptoms will vary, but will commonly include:
- Redness and irritation
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Discharge or crusting
- Pain or discomfort
- Blurred vision
Eye infections are generally caused by:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Fungal infections
- Allergens and irritants
- Contact lens misuse
- Foreign objects in the eye
Many eye infections are highly contagious, particularly those caused by viruses and bacteria. They spread easily through direct contact or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes.
Recognizing their contagious nature highlights the importance of timely intervention to prevent complications associated with untreated infections and to mitigate their spread.
Common Eye Infections
Eye infections can vary in severity, from mild irritations to severe complications.
Identifying the specific type of eye infection you have is important for a few reasons:
- It allows for targeted treatment, as different infections respond to different medications.
- Understanding the nature of the infection helps prevent the spread.
- Identifying the underlying case allows you to adopt appropriate preventative measures.
- It improves recovery time and reduces the risk of complications.
Regardless of how mild an infection may seem, it’s strongly suggested that you visit your optometrist for timely intervention.
Delaying your treatment can lead to complications like corneal ulcers, vision impairment, or even vision loss.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is one of the most common eye infections. It affects the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent layer covering the whites of the eye and the inner eyelids.
There are three different types of conjunctivitis, each with its own underlying cause and each requiring a different approach for effective treatment and long-term relief:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis (highly contagious)
- Viral conjunctivitis (highly contagious)
- Allergic conjunctivitis
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the eyelids. It develops from bacterial infections, clogged oil glands, or skin conditions like dandruff.
While not contagious, blepharitis requires ongoing management to prevent flare-ups. This usually involves a combination of good eyelid hygiene and, in some cases, medication to control symptoms for long-term relief.
Keratitis
Keratitis develops when the eye’s corneal surface becomes infected by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It can also develop from improper contact lens wear, trauma to the eye, or exposure to UV light.
Keratitis can become chronic, particularly if the root cause isn’t addressed. Managing keratitis largely depends on addressing its varying underlying causes for long-term relief.
Importance of Visiting Your Optometrist
Visiting your primary care physician may seem tempting when you have an active eye infection. However, if it’s practical, consider visiting your optometrist to help evaluate, treat, and manage the infection.
Optometrists specialize in eye health and have extensive training in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions, including eye infections.
Eye infections vary in symptoms, underlying causes, and how they impact ocular health and vision. Therefore, your optometrist’s approach to treatment will vary accordingly. They may recommend over-the-counter solutions like artificial tears, lifestyle changes, or prescription medication.
One reason why people visit their primary care provider for suspected eye infections is that they can prescribe medication. But optometrists are also licensed to do so.
While you can visit your family doctor, they may suggest visiting an optometrist to manage the eye infection, especially if it appears chronic.
An optometrist’s personalized approach to treatment allows for timely recovery, reduces the risk of complications, and prevents the reoccurrence of infection for long-term relief.
Schedule an Appointment
No matter how mild they may appear, eye infections aren’t to be taken lightly as they can significantly impact vision and overall health, especially if they remain unmanaged.
Visiting your optometrist, instead of your family doctor, allows for timely treatment and management, by recognizing the underlying cause and discussing effective ways to prevent future infections.
If you’re experiencing irritation or discomfort of any kind, connect with our team at Total Vision Chino Hills to schedule an appointment.
