Treatment · Eye care
Eye infection care
Eye infections include conjunctivitis, an infection or inflammation of the surface membrane of the eye, styes and other lid infections, and less common infections of the cornea. Most are mild; some need urgent treatment. The clinic examines the eye, identifies the likely cause, and prescribes treatment where it is needed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
At a glance
The essentials.
- Practice
- Eye care
- Type
- Treatment
The full guide
What it is
Eye infection care is the assessment and treatment of infections of the eye and eyelids. The common ones are conjunctivitis, which makes the eye red, watery, or sticky, and styes, which are blocked, infected lid glands. Viral conjunctivitis, known in Chennai as "Madras eye", spreads easily from person to person. Infection of the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, is less common and more serious, particularly in contact lens wearers.
Why an ophthalmologist may recommend it
Have the eye examined for redness with discharge, lid swelling, recurring styes, or a red eye that is not settling. A contact lens wearer with a painful red eye needs same-day assessment, because corneal infection can progress quickly.
How to prepare
Stop wearing contact lenses while the eye is red, and bring your lenses, case, and solution with you if you wear them. Bring a list of any drops you have already used. Wash your hands after touching the eye, and use your own towel at home.
Safety, limitations, and when to contact the clinic
Simple hygiene limits spread while an infection settles: wash hands often, avoid rubbing the eye, and do not share towels or pillows. Return promptly if pain increases, vision drops, light sensitivity becomes marked, or swelling spreads around the eye or comes with fever — these need urgent review.
This website is for information and appointments. It is not monitored for emergencies. For sudden loss of vision, a serious eye injury, or severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting, call 108 for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
Results and follow-up
Most surface infections settle within days on the right care. The ophthalmologist tells you when to return if things are not settling, and, for lens wearers, when it is safe to wear lenses again.
Sources
Before you come
What to bring and how to prepare
A short checklist to run through before your appointment. If anything here is unclear, call the clinic and ask.
- Stop wearing contact lenses while the eye is red, and bring your lenses, case, and solution with you if you wear them.
- Bring a list of any drops you have already used.
- Wash your hands after touching the eye, and use your own towel at home.
What happens
On the day.
What to expect from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.
during
During the visit
the ophthalmologist examines the eye and lids under the slit lamp. A dye may be used to check the cornea, and occasionally a swab is taken from the surface of the eye.
after
Afterwards
treatment depends on the cause. Many viral infections settle on their own with comfort measures; bacterial infections may need antibiotic drops or ointment. Antibiotic drops do not help viral infections, which is why the examination comes before the prescription.
Before your appointment
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about preparation, timing and what happens at the clinic.
Is conjunctivitis contagious?
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis both spread easily, through hands, towels, and close contact. Hand washing and not sharing towels limit spread; the clinic advises how long to take precautions.
Can I wear contact lenses with a red eye?
No. Stop lens wear until the eye has been examined and cleared. A painful red eye in a lens wearer needs same-day assessment.
Do all eye infections need antibiotic drops?
No. Viral infections settle without antibiotics, and antibiotic drops do not help them. The examination identifies the likely cause, and treatment is prescribed only where it helps.
Where this fits
Related care and consulting times.
The conditions this is used alongside, and when the consultant sees patients at the clinic.
Consultation hours
- Eye care
- Mon–Sat, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
Appointments
Plan your visit.
Mon–Sat, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM.