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Eye Infections
Eye Infections services offered in Brooklyn, NY
Millions of people worldwide experience eye infections each year. If you struggle with eye pain, redness, or oozing, turn to LaSante Health Center in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens area of Brooklyn, New York City. Its skilled medical providers diagnose and treat eye infections to restore your eye health and prevent complications. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.
What are eye infections?
Eye infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The most common type is called conjunctivitis, or pink eye. These infections may affect one or both of your eyes, including the cornea, eyelid, or external parts of your eye. About 1 million people in the United States see their doctor each year for eye infections, which are often highly contagious when left untreated.
Which symptoms can eye infections cause?
Eye infections can cause the following symptoms:
- Eye redness
- Itching
- Irritation
- Eye pain
- Swelling
- Watery eyes
- Tearing
- Gritty feeling in your eyes
- Yellow discharge from the eyes
- Eye crusting
- Light sensitivity
- Fever
- Blurred vision
While some infections aren’t serious, others can lead to vision loss when not addressed.
What are the risk factors for eye infections?
Possible causes of eye infections include:
- Dirty contact lenses
- Eye injuries
- Foreign objects in the eye
- Blocked tear ducts
- Touching your hands to your eyes
Many eye infections spread from person to person via close contact or touching shared surfaces and then touching your eyes. Don’t touch your hands to your face, wear protective gear to protect your eyes from injuries, and keep your contacts clean to reduce the risk of developing an eye infection.
How are eye infections diagnosed?
Diagnosing eye infections at LaSante Health Center typically involves a discussion about your medical history and symptoms, an eye exam, and, sometimes, diagnostic testing. For example, your specialist may take a swab of your eye discharge and send it to a lab for analysis.
How are eye infections treated?
The LaSante Health Center experts may suggest one or more of the following treatments for eye infections:
- Eye drops
- Ointments
- Tablets
- Damp compresses
- Artificial tears
- Allergy treatments
Avoid wearing contact lenses when undergoing treatment for an eye infection. It’s also important to wash your hands often and not share personal items, such as eye makeup and towels. Throw out any cosmetics after having an eye infection to reduce the risk of re-infection.
Follow up with the LaSante Health Center experts to ensure your treatment is working effectively, and contact the office at any time with questions.
Schedule an eye infection evaluation at LaSante Health Center by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.