A stye is an inflamed oil gland on your eyelid. The gland can become infected by bacteria from your skin and cause the swelling.
Bacterial Eye Infections
Microbes may attack the mucous membrane on the surface of the eye, causing conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye. Most infections are treated with an antibacterial eye drop, but for some types of organisms, oral antibiotics may also be used. The condition is usually not serious when properly treated.
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See All 2 AnswersWhen the source of the infection is a virus or bacteria, particularly one that is the result of a sexually transmitted disease, the condition can be quite serious without rigorous and proper treatment. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes can all be passed on during child birth and affect a newborn's eyes. If not treated properly, these infections can cause permanent damage to the eyes, including scarring and puncturing of the cornea, and even blindness.
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If caused by a virus or bacteria, ophthalmia neonatorum is highly contagious. Touching your newborn's infected eye, or the discharge from an infected eye, and then rubbing your own eye can spread the infection. You can also catch an infection by using a towel or washcloth that has been used to clean an infected eye.
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See All 4 AnswersWhen doctors talk about pinkeye, they usually mean bacterial conjunctivitis. However, many things can cause the eye to become red or inflamed, including viruses, allergies, contact lenses or air pollutants.
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Your doctor will examine your eye and ask about the symptoms you are experiencing. Based on appearance and symptoms, your doctor should be able to diagnose what type of bacterial eye infection you have. Occasionally, your doctor may take a culture if you have any discharge from your eyes. The doctor can then use the culture to confirm the cause and type of infection.
Due to the seriousness of some eye infections, it is important to seek treatment early. Early treatment and detection can reduce serious complications or problems associated with different types of bacterial eye infections.
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Epidemic conjunctivitis pink eye affects the mucous membranes that cover and line the lids of your eyes. The lids of the eyes and the white part of the eyes become swollen, irritated and reddened. The lymph nodes that surround your neck and ears may also become enlarged. Sometimes your vision becomes hazy, and the part of the eye referred to as the cornea becomes irritated (keratitis). The eye becomes sensitive to light and feels sore as if something is in it.
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Ophthalmia neonatorum, often referred to as neonatal conjunctivitis, is inflammation or infection in one or both eyes in newborns. Infections are caused by either a virus (such as the herpes virus) or bacteria (such as gonorrhea and chlamydia bacteria) coming in contact with the eye during delivery. The lining of the newborn's eyelid is primarily affected. Infections can be serious and, depending on the particular virus or bacteria, can cause eye damage and even blindness if not treated. A less serious form of the condition, in which there is inflammation but no immediate infection, is caused by a blocked tear duct.
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Dr. Aaron P. Weingeist, MD , Ophthalmology, answered on behalf of American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmartSee All 3 AnswersTreatment is mostly supportive for pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections. It is important to minimize exposure of others by washing your hands frequently and throwing away used tissues. Do not share towels or pillow cases. Consider staying home from work or school until you are symptom-free for 24 hours.
If you are a contact lens wearer, you should discontinue their use and stick with glasses until your infection clears. Then start with a fresh pair of lenses and a clean lens case.
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West Valley Medical Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersPrimary care physicians, as well as optometrists and urgent care doctors, can treat bacterial eye infections.
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Ophthalmia neonatorum can be highly contagious. If you are caring for a newborn with the condition in just one eye, make sure not to inadvertently spread the infection to the other eye. You should not touch one eye and then the other. Wet towels or compresses are often recommended to help clean and soothe the eye, so make sure that the cloth used to clean the eye does not come in contact with the other eye, or with other towels or washcloths. Be sure to have the child examined by a doctor, and follow any instructions from the doctor precisely.