Eye infections are common and can affect anyone. While maintaining a safe distance from infected individuals and practicing hand hygiene are essential, not all eye infections are contagious. Therefore, identifying the types of eye infections and understanding their contagious or non-contagious symptoms can help prevent their widespread transmission.

Contagious eye infections

Some basic symptoms that may indicate a contagious eye infection include:

Discharge

Discharge often occurs with contagious infections and can easily spread. An infected eye will continuously discharge fluid or pus. The color, texture, and type of discharge also help identify the cause of the infection. For example, clear and watery discharge signals a viral infection, while pus discharge is often a sign of a bacterial infection.

Redness and swelling

Red eyes accompanied by eyelid swelling are common signs of a contagious infection. The entire eye area of the affected person appears swollen and inflamed.

Itching

Itching or a burning sensation often results from a contagious infection. This symptom causes discomfort and irritation, which can lead to gritty, painful eyes, prompting the individual to rub their eyes frequently.

Crusting

Crust is a layer of dry, clear discharge that accumulates around the eyes, making them feel gritty and heavy. This condition often appears upon waking and is a sign of a contagious infection.

Non-contagious eye infections

Non-contagious eye infections typically do not have many clear symptoms; instead, they tend to be localized to a specific area rather than spreading widely. One typical example is chronic blepharitis. This is a chronic infection caused by autoimmune diseases or prolonged irritants, and it is not contagious or easily spread through contact.

Transmission routes

Bacterial and viral infections are often transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, such as contaminated fingers touching the eyes, or contact with surfaces and items used by the infected individual. Respiratory droplets can also carry viruses, causing some types of conjunctivitis. Therefore, maintaining proper hygiene and avoiding sharing personal items can prevent eye infections from spreading more widely.

Beyond contagiousness, some eye infections require treatment to prevent them from worsening. Bacterial conjunctivitis is typically contagious from the time visible discharge is present, usually lasting about 24 hours to two days after starting antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis can persist longer, sometimes lasting from several days to two weeks until symptoms completely disappear.

Those affected need to maintain hygiene, seek medical attention if their condition worsens, and consult a doctor about when they can return to normal activities without posing any risk of transmission.

Bao Bao (Source: Times of India)