Eye Infection Treatment in Laredo, TX
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a contagious eye infection that is especially common among children. By simply touching the area around the affected eye, you can easily transfer the virus to your hand, then infect anyone you touch. In addition to seeking prompt treatment to clear up an eye infection, it’s important to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
Eye infection treatment can vary depending on whether it is caused by a virus or bacteria. A viral eye infection such as conjunctivitis may be triggered by the common cold or sinusitis; usually, the symptoms include itchy, watery eyes. On the other hand, a bacterial eye infection is more likely to cause swelling around the eye, yellow or gray eye discharge and a crusty buildup on the lash line. In either case, you should seek prompt treatment to avoid spreading the infection to the other eye—and to other people.
How Is an Eye Infection Treated?
Many common eye infections resolve on their own. If you need help managing your symptoms, your provider may prescribe antiviral eye drops, an oral antiviral medication, steroid eye drops, antibiotic eye drops or an oral antibiotic medication, depending on the underlying cause. Until your eye infection clears up, you should avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup. You may find it helpful to lay a warm, damp cloth over your eye several times a day as needed. You can also use an over-the-counter pain reliever or artificial tears. (Do not use redness-reducing eye drops, which could worsen your symptoms.)
Other Causes of Eye Pain
If your eye pain occurs after a head injury or is accompanied by sensitivity to light, blurred vision or other visual disturbances, you should immediately go to the nearest ER for treatment. You may have a more serious issue than an eye infection, such as a foreign object or chemical in your eye, a detached retina or a scratch or cut on your eyeball or eyelid, and you’ll want to get that taken care of right away.
At VitalMed Urgent Care, our experienced medical staff is available every day to provide non-emergency eye infection treatment and other urgent care services. Visit one of our conveniently located clinics in Laredo, TX, today.
