Protect Against Eye Infections

Eye infections are usually related to pinkeye (conjunctivitis), an inflammation of the sensitive mucous membranes that line the eyelids. Other causes of redness and irritation are a persistent scaliness on the eyelid edges (called blepharitis) and inflamed painful bumps at the base of the eyelashes (known as sty).

Eye infection can be a result of viruses and bacteria. Inflammation and redness may also occur as a result of injuries to the eye, allergies or irritants such as smoke, make-up, or chlorine in swimming pool.

Symptoms:

• Pinkness or redness in the whites of the eye.

• Thick, oozing greenish-yellow or white discharge from the eye.

• Excessive tearing

• Dried crusts on the eyelid and eyelashes that form during sleep.

• Sensation of sand or grit in the eye when blinking.

• Swollen or flaking eyelids.

• A small, painful red bump at the base of an eye (sty).

Dos and Don'ts to control infection:

• Wash your hands often with an antiseptic soap, and don’t touch or rub your eyes.

• Change pillowcases and towels frequently and don’t share them with others.

• Avoid wearing eye make-up or contact lenses during an eye infection.

• Wipe the discharge from the infected eye with a tissue and dispose it off immediately to prevent infection from spreading.

• For sty’s, apply a warm, moist compress for 10 minutes three or four times a day until the sty comes to the head and drains.

• For blepharitis, try a warm, moist compress; apply for 15 minutes to loosen the infected scaliness on the eyelids. Then scrub the eyelid gently with water and baking soda or with diluted baby shampoo.

• Use a separate compress or eye bath for each eye to prevent cross infection. Label your eye baths ‘left’ and ‘right’.