Three Tips for Avoiding Eye Infections

Have you ever had an eye infection? Eye infections are very common, and different types of eye infections have different causes. Eye infections can be fungal, bacterial or viral, but doctors classify the infection based on the part of the eye that’s affected.

For example, there’s keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane of the inner eyelid and the inner corner of the eye. An infection of the eyelid is called blepharitis, while an infection of the liquid inside the eye is called vitritis. Neuroretinitis refers to an inflammation of the optic nerve, while chorioretinitis is an infection of the retina and blood vessels.  The most common infection is “pink eye,” which is conjunctivitis caused by a common cold virus. Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious because it can be spread from the eyes to the hands and surfaces that are shared with others.

Even though eye infections have different causes and classifications, there are some good practices for avoiding all types of eye infections.

• Keep everything clean. Germs can come from your hands, face, linens, washcloths, towels, pillowcases- anything that makes contact with your eyes or the area around them. It’s especially important to wash your hands before you touch your eyes.
• Don’t share things related to your eyes. Sharing eye makeup, washcloths, contact lenses or eye medicine can transfer infectious bacteria from one person to another. Some people are more susceptible to certain bacterial infections, so even if your friend doesn’t have an eye infection, sharing makeup might cause an infection in your eyes.
• Protect your eyes from outside contaminants. Don’t touch your eyes or face with your hands, unless you’ve just washed them, and always wear goggles or safety glasses in hazardous conditions or around chemicals. Don’t wear contacts when you sleep, because they can trap contaminants in your eyes, as well as depriving the eyes of oxygen.

If you think you have an eye infection, seek medical help immediately. Left untreated, infections can sometimes damage eyes and degrade vision. If you’re looking for a reliable eye doctor in Derry, Spindel Eye Associates is here for you. Celebrating over thirty years of eye care, we proudly serve patients in Derry, Londonderry and Windham, providing personalized eye care using top-of-the-line technology. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 603.421.6536 or contact us through our website.