Not only is an eye infection uncomfortable, but this health concern could lead to potential complications. It’s important to protect your eyes against infection so you can prevent vision loss, scarring, and other possible issues.
When an infection happens, it means that your eye has been invaded by harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses. As a result, you will have symptoms and reactions such as pain, redness, discharge, and light sensitivity. An eye doctor is a great resource to treat the infection and help you return to your normal activities again.
Here are a few best practices to prevent eye infections from occurring in the first place:
One of the most common causes of eye infections is because you touch your eyes with infection-causing bacteria on your fingers. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the day to minimize the risk of infection.
Are you aware of the number of times a day you touch your face and eyes? For many people, it is something that happens without thought. Even if you are proactive about washing your hands frequently, it’s also essential to avoid touching your face. Keep your fingers away from your sensitive eyeballs. If you need to rub your eyes for some reason, then always wash your hands first.
Contact lenses are great for improving your vision throughout the day, but they can also be a source of infection-causing bacteria if you aren’t diligent about cleaning the lenses. Follow the eye doctor’s recommendations for cleaning and care, and store them according to instructions. Also, never use contact lenses beyond the recommended timeframe.
One method of passing infection-causing bacteria between people is by sharing makeup. The bacteria can live in a used cosmetic container or on makeup brushes. Be proactive about throwing away makeup when it is expired, and never share makeup with other people.
When one child has pinkeye, it’s easy for this infection to spread to other children or adults. Prevent pinkeye from spreading by minimizing contact between children and washing everyone’s hands frequently. Use extra caution if you notice signs of pinkeye and consult an eye doctor as soon as possible for treatment.
If you suspect that you or a family member has an eye infection, it’s time to reach out to an eye doctor right away. Contact us at Temecula Creek Optometry for full-service eyecare solutions: (951) 302 -1331.