Perhaps your eyes are irritated and starting to turn a pinkish hue. Is it possible that it’s an infection, you wonder? Your doctor will make the final decision, but there are several telltale indications to look out for.
 An infection in your eye can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Much depends on whatever area of your eye is affected. For example, you may experience sensations in your:
- Eyelid
- Cornea (clear surface that covers the outside of your iris)
- Conjunctiva (thin, moist area that covers the inside of the eyelids and outer white part of your eye)
The Signs and Symptoms of an Eye Infection
When you have an infection, you may experience symptoms in one or both eyes. Keep an eye out for the following problems:Â
What your eye is like. You may notice issues such as:
- Â Â Â Â Discomfort or pain
- Â Â Â Â Eyes that itch
- Â Â Â Â When it’s bright, you get the feeling that something is on or in your eye (light sensitivity)
- Â Â Â Â Your eyes are burning.
- Â Â Â Â A little, uncomfortable lump beneath your eyelid or at the base of your lashes.
- Â Â Â Â When you touch your eyelid, it feels tender.
- Â Â Â Â Tears won’t stop flowing from my eyes.
- Â Â Â Â Your eyes are irritated.
How your eye appears to be. It’s possible that you’ll make changes such as:Â
- Â Â Â Â Yellow, green, or clear pink discharge from one or both eyes in the “whites” of your eyes
- Â Â Â Â Eyelids that are swollen, red, or purple
- Â Â Â Â Especially in the morning, crusty lashes and lids
- Â Â Â Â How well you see. You might notice that your vision is blurry.
Types of Eye Infections
After you’ve seen your doctor, they may be able to identify the infection you’re suffering from. You might hear them say something like:
 Pinkeye is a contagious eye disease (conjunctivitis). It’s a conjunctivitis infection that causes your eyes to turn pink. It can be caused by germs or viruses, but it can also be caused by an allergic reaction or irritants. When you have a cold, pinkeye is very common. It is most usually caused by a virus in adults, and it is most likely bacterial in children.
Keratitis. This is a corneal irritation caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites found in water. It’s a prevalent condition among contact lens wearers.
 Stye. It can manifest as painful red pimples beneath your eyelids or at the base of your lashes. When bacteria infects the oil glands in your eyelids or eyelashes, you get them. These look like pimples and aren’t communicable.
Fungal eye infections.Infections of the eyes caused by fungi are uncommon, but they can be dangerous if they occur. After an eye injury, especially if your eye was scratched by something from a plant, such as a stick or a thorn, many fungal eye infections develop. If you wear contacts and don’t clean them properly, you might get one.
Uveitis. This is an infection of the uvea, which is the middle layer of your eye. It’s caused by viruses like herpes, but it’s more typically associated with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Your doctor will examine your eye and possibly collect a tissue or fluid sample before deciding on the best treatment for your illness. They’ll send it to a lab, where it’ll be examined under a microscope or cultured in a dish.
 Your doctor may prescribe medication to take by mouth, a lotion to apply to your eyelid and eye, or eyedrops based on the results of the lab. If the infection is caused by an injury, an allergy, an allergen, or another health problem, they may recommend alternative therapies to address those issues. Contact lenses should not be worn until your eye infection has cleared.
