Our eyes act as the windows of life. We get to see the beautiful world around us, the people that we love, and the things that we are passionate about. So, it becomes integral that we take care of our eyes, and ensure that they are healthy. 

As our eyes come in contact with various elements around us, they are prone to dangers, such as the various infections they can cause. We should be aware of the dangers that our eyes are susceptible to, and try our best to prevent them. 

However, in order to do so, the first step is to be aware of the infections your eyes catch, their symptoms, so you can spot them early, and the treatment that follows to cure them. 

In this article, we will talk about the different eye infection names. 

1. Conjunctivitis 

Also known as pinkeye, Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections. There is a thin layer of tissue that covers the whites of our eyes and the insides of the eyelids, known as the conjunctiva. So, Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva. It can happen in one eye, or in some cases both eyes. 

You can catch this infection in the early stages if you notice any of these symptoms: 

• Discharge from the eye
• Eyelids that are crusted together upon waking up
• Whites of the eyes that look pink or red
• Itchiness in one or both eyes
• Feeling like there is sand or grit in the eye
• Excessive tears

However, it is important to know the different types of conjunctivitis and how to treat them. 

• Bacterial: This generally affects children. You should consult a doctor who would generally prescribe you antibiotic drops. 
• Viral: This generally affects adults and is the most common type of infection. The treatment of this is generally cold compresses or artificial tears that soothe the eye. You may also be prescribed antiviral medication if the cause is the zoster virus or herpes simplex virus (HSV). 
• Allergic: This type of conjunctivitis occurs when certain allergens enter your eyes, such as dust, pet dander, or pollen. Generally, you need to avoid these allergy triggers and take allergy medications, or even saline eye drops. 
• Chlamydial: This type of conjunctivitis generally occurs simultaneously with a genital infection. You will be prescribed oral antibiotics to cure this. 
• Gonococcal: This type is very common among newborns and sexually active teenagers. You will be prescribed saline solution and antibiotics to cure this. 

2. Keratitis 

Keratitis is the infection or inflammation of the cornea, which is the outermost layer on the coloured part of your eye. If you are someone who wears contact lenses, you should know this. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have stated that improper contact lens care can increase the chances of you contracting keratitis. Even if you wear them for too long, or fail to clean and store them properly, you are allowing certain germs to get into your cornea. 

If you spot one of these symptoms early, you can prevent keratitis from scarring your cornea and prevent permanent loss of vision. 

• Redness and irritation of the eyes
• Pain in the eyes
• A feeling of something in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision
• Discharge or watery eyes

The different types of Keratitis are: 

• Bacterial Keratitis: This happens due to either improper care of contact lenses or certain eye injuries. 
• Herpes Keratitis: This generally happens when the HVS infects the cornea. 
• Parasitic Keratitis: Acanthamoeba, which is a tiny ameba causes this rare type of Keratitis. 

If you are suffering from keratitis, your doctor might need to use a special type of light to have a clear view of your eye. The treatment includes antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal medicine, depending on the type of Keratitis you are suffering from. 

3. Endophthalmitis 

Endophthalmitis is an eye infection of the tissue or the fluid inside your eyes. If you are suffering from this condition, you need to seek immediate medical attention, or it may lead to permanent blindness. One of the most common causes of this is cataract surgery. 

However, you can spot this early by keeping an eye out for these symptoms: 

• eye pain
• redness
• changes in vision
• sensitivity to light

There are two common types of endophthalmitis: 

• Endogenous endophthalmitis: This type of infection stems from an existing infection in any other part of your body that spreads to the eye. It can happen with a blood infection, or urinary tract infection (UTI). 
• Exogenous endophthalmitis: This is the most common type of endophthalmitis infection, as it occurs after eye surgery, injury, or injection. Bacteria or fungi can penetrate your eyes if their protective surface is compromised. 

According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, almost all cases of endophthalmitis can be treated with antibiotic or antifungal injections. However, in some cases, emergency surgery may be required. 

Get your eyes checked at the best eye hospital in Hyderabad 

These were just a list of the 3 most common types of eye infections. Some of the other eye infections names are Cellulitis, Stye, Fungal eye infections, Uveitis, Blepharitis, Ocular Herpes, and many more. 

We understand the importance of eyes. This article is our attempt to raise awareness about the different types of eye infections present. Most importantly, they can be cured easily, if the symptoms are caught at the right time. 

You must get your eyes checked regularly to eliminate the possibility of contracting any of the above-mentioned infections. 

So, if you are wondering what is the best place to get your eyes checked in Hyderabad, then we would like to tell you that you should visit PVRI, as we are the best not-for-profit super specialty eye hospital in Hyderabad. We have a team of highly capable doctors, equipped with the best in class equipment, to check your eyes for such infections, and also provide you with the best treatment whenever needed.