Eye Infection Treatment Questions and Answers

While the majority of eye infections are not serious, some particular infections can lead to severe complications! One example of an eye infection that is potentially dangerous is orbital cellulitis. With orbital cellulitis, the soft tissues and fat that stabilize the eye within its socket become infected. If left untreated, orbital cellulitis can lead to meningitis or sepsis, which are potentially life-threatening, in addition to permanent vision loss. Similarly, endophthalmitis is a serious infection of the fluids and tissues inside the eyeball that can result in permanent blindness.

 Often, the symptoms between a minor eye infection, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), and more severe conditions like endophthalmitis or orbital cellulitis are indistinguishable. As such, it is crucial to seek medical attention for any eye infection, not only to receive treatment but to either rule out a more serious infection or address a severe condition with swift and thorough medical intervention.

Besides testing the antigen, there are a few ways of determining whether or not an eye infection is viral or bacterial. Viral infections often last longer than bacterial infections. As such, if a suspected bacterial infection is not responding to antibiotics within three to four days, it is likely that the infection is viral. The symptoms of viral and bacterial infections are also different in some cases. For instance, while viral eye infections are often accompanied by signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, bacterial eye infections often create an excessive amount of thick discharge that causes the eyelids to crust and stick together. Moreover, viral eye infections tend to make a pinkish hue in the whites of the eyes, while bacterial infections are often identified with a darker reddish color.

While most eye infections clear up in a matter of days, others can take much longer, especially if the infection is in the back of the eye, is the result of an underlying condition, or is chronic. As such, conditions like blepharitis, which is often chronic, or posterior uveitis can, unfortunately, stick around for months at a time. With blepharitis, the eyelids become inflamed due, most often, to clogged oil glands inside the eyelid skin. Posterior uveitis is an infection that affects the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye beneath the whites of the eye, and transports blood to your retina. This condition is often caused by autoimmune disorders, eye injuries, or viral infections. While blepharitis and posterior uveitis have been known to last for lengthy periods, they can be effectively and swiftly treated with the proper medical care and attention!

If you are looking for excellent eye infection treatment in the Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach, California, our board-certified physicians at Reddy Urgent Care would be happy to provide you with that service! We welcome you to come to 4237 Atlantic Ave in Long Beach, California, for a walk-in appointment during the hours of 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM from Monday to Friday or from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends