When your eye feels red, itchy, or gritty, you’re likely dealing with an eye infection, an inflammation of the eye caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergens that can spread quickly if untreated. Also known as conjunctivitis, it’s one of the most common eye problems people face — and it’s not always what you think. Many assume all eye infections need antibiotics, but that’s not true. Viral eye infections often clear on their own in a week or two, while bacterial ones might need prescription eye drops. Allergic reactions? Those need a completely different approach.
Knowing the difference matters because using the wrong treatment can make things worse. For example, steroid eye drops might calm redness from allergies, but they can worsen a bacterial or viral infection. conjunctivitis, a general term for eye inflammation, often caused by infections or irritants shows up in different forms — sticky discharge means bacteria, watery eyes and light sensitivity often point to viruses, and itching with puffy eyelids usually means allergies. eye drops, medicated liquids applied directly to the eye to treat infections, allergies, or dryness are the most common treatment, but not all are created equal. Some are over-the-counter, others require a prescription, and a few can do more harm than good if misused.
What you do at home matters too. Washing your hands often, avoiding rubbing your eyes, and not sharing towels or makeup can stop the infection from spreading to your other eye — or to someone else. Warm compresses help with discomfort from bacterial infections, while cold compresses ease swelling from allergies. But if symptoms last more than a few days, get worse, or affect your vision, you need professional care. Delaying treatment can lead to complications like corneal damage or chronic dryness.
This collection of articles gives you real, practical advice on how to handle eye infections — from recognizing the signs to choosing the right treatment and avoiding common mistakes. You’ll find clear comparisons of treatments, tips on when to skip the pharmacy and see a doctor, and what to do if over-the-counter remedies don’t help. No fluff. Just what works.
Besifloxacin and moxifloxacin are both antibiotic eye drops used for infections, but they differ in strength, duration, and safety. Learn which one works best for common eye infections and when to choose each.