Do you also self-diagnose conjunctivitis every time your eye is red and watery? From wearing sunglasses during the treatment of pink eye to self-isolation, the paranoia around eye infections spreading to our near and dear ones is a fear that all of us have experienced. While maintaining a safe distance from your family members, as well as hand hygiene is essential, it is also important to note that not all eye infections are contagious. While some kinds of eye infections might spread rapidly, other variations might not as well. Therefore, it is very important to ascertain the kinds of infection and understand if your eye infection is contagious or not. Besides being infectious, certain eye infections need urgent care, antibiotics as well as other medicines, and can have serious repercussions if not treated.

Are all eye infections contagious?

Eye infections are not all contagious. The contagiousness depends on the cause and the part of the eye that is affected. “Bacterial or viral infections like conjunctivitis which is also more commonly known as the pink eye are among the contagious ones, which can spread through coming in direct contact and infected eye secretions or sharing their items,” explains ophthalmologist Dr Bhavya Reddy. Conjunctivitis is highly infectious and causes your eyes to get red and watery. While some types of the infection disappear after a few days, others can take weeks. Check out the major symptoms of conjunctivitis, and how to manage it.

What are the different types of eye infections?

There are various types of eye infections, some of which are contagious too. Here is all that you need to know about them

1. Blepharitis

This is an inflammation of the eyelid margins which happens due to bacteria or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, or rosacea. A person might feel like there’s something gritty in the eye and their eyelids could look red and swollen with associated crust formation. A study, published in Clinical Optometry, states that the condition cannot affect your eyesight, but can cause other long-term damage if not treated. This is one of the most common ocular conditions.

2. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis can make one’s eyes appear pinkish or red. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria or can even be an allergic reaction. Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is usually contagious and an individual may experience itchy red eyes with sticky discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis, on the other hand, occurs when the eyes react to things like pollen or dust which results in severe itching and watery eyes. Check out how you can prevent pink eye.

3. Keratitis

This is an infection or inflammation of the cornea is keratitis. It causes severe pain, redness, watering and blurred vision. The reason is often associated with incorrect use of contact lenses as well as injuries to the eye. Immediate medical attention is important to avoid long-term damage to the eye due to scarring. This may be both infectious and non-infectious, states this study, published by the US National Institutes of Health.

4. Uveitis

Uveitis is the inflammation that occurs within the eye, specifically around the iris or the posterior part of the eye. The person suffering from this may experience extreme pain along with light sensitivity, redness and blurred vision. The causes include infections, auto-immune diseases or even injuries. A study published by StatPearls, states that there are four categories of this condition -   infections, inflammatory diseases, trauma, and idiopathic cases. This can also lead to vision loss.

5. Endophthalmitis

This is a serious illness inside the eye and frequently follows trauma or eye surgery. This infection can result in severe pain, redness, discharge and even loss of vision, states this study, published by StatPearls. This is a dangerous ailment that needs to be treated right away. Usually, this means injecting antibiotics or antifungals straight into the eye with an occasional requirement of surgery as well.

How can you tell if the eye infection is contagious?

Some basic symptoms can point to the eye infection being contagious:

1. Discharge

The infected eye will continuously ooze out watery or pus-filled discharge. “The type, colour and texture of the discharge also often helps one to determine the cause of the infection,” says Dr Reddy. For example, watery and clear discharge is a sign of viral infection whereas thinking, whereas pus-filled discharges often indicate a bacterial one. Discharge usually happens when the infection is contagious and can easily spread.

2. Redness and swelling

Redness along with swelling of the eyelids, is a common indication of the infection being contagious. The whole eye area looks puffy and inflamed, explains Dr Reddy.

3. Itching

Itching or burning often occurs when the suspected infection is a contagious one. It is an uncomfortable and irritating symptom that can result in gritty or sore eyes, prompting rubbing of the infected area.

Some eye infections might not be contagious but can even lead to blindness. Therefore, it is important to get them checked in time. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

4. Crusts

Crusts are a layer of dried discharge in and around the eye that makes it grittier and heavier. This condition is often noticed after waking up from sleep and is a sign of contagious infection.

Symptoms for non-contagious infections

1. Non-contagious eye infections usually do not have much outward and obvious symptoms. They are much more localised.

2. A few eye infections like blepharitis persist for a long time. These are chronic infections that are caused because of auto-immune diseases or long-term irritants which are not contagious and cannot be easily spread via contact.

How long does an eye infection remain contagious?

The period an eye infection can remain contagious varies, based on the type of treatment received. “Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually contagious as long as there is visible discharge which usually lasts about 24 hours to 2 days after starting antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis may have a longer period of contagiousness sometimes lasting from a few days up to two weeks until symptoms disappear completely,” says Dr Reddy.

Check out some tips to prevent conjunctivitis from spreading in kids. People need to maintain hygiene, never share personal belongings and consult their doctor on when they can go back to normal activities without any risk.

How does an eye infection spread?

There are different ways in which an eye infection can spread.

Bacterial and viral infections are often transmitted through direct contact with infected people such as contaminated fingers touching the eyes or contact with affected surfaces and objects like towels or make-up. For instance, rubbing one’s eyes after brushing against something unclean could lead to the development of this disease.

Respiratory droplets might also carry the virus, causing some kinds of conjunctivitis. Therefore, maintaining proper hygiene practices and avoiding sharing personal belongings play an important role in preventing eye infections from spreading further. Check out ways to prevent eye infections, especially during monsoon.

How common are eye infections?

Eye infections are fairly common and can happen to anyone. “Conjunctivitis or pink eye is a bacterial disease. It is highly contagious and can easily spread via unclean hands and coming in any form of contact with the already infected person or their personal belongings such as towels or pillowcases,” says Dr Reddy.

In comparison, fungal infections are less common but they still happen, more so in agrarian populations and in cases where one is immunocompromised. “Parasitic illnesses due to contaminated water or soil are also quite rare. Poor contact lens hygiene is also a major cause of eye infections,” explains Dr Reddy.

Eye infections can be due to bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic causes. The fastest treatment is antibiotic eye drops and ointments. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

FAQs

Which is the most serious eye infection?

The most serious eye infection is Endophthalmitis. This is a condition where the fluid inside the eye gets infected. This can even lead to blindness if not treated on time.

What is the fastest way to cure an infection?

The fastest way to cure an infection is not to self-diagnose, and show yourself to a doctor. Taking prescribed antibiotics eye drops and ointments can help.

How to clean your infected eye?

An infected eye should be cleaned with a soft washcloth. You can dip this in lukewarm water as well. However, make sure to wash the cloth well after use.

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