Bacterial eye infections: what to watch for and what to do

Red, sticky, or painful eyes can mean a bacterial infection — and some types spread fast or damage vision if you delay care. This page explains the common types, how to tell them apart, simple first steps, and when you need urgent medical help.

How to spot a bacterial eye infection

Bacterial infections often cause thick yellow or green discharge that can glue your eyelids shut in the morning. The eye may be red, gritty, or sore. Unlike allergic eyes, bacterial infections usually produce pus and often start in one eye before spreading to the other.

Common bacterial conditions include:

- Conjunctivitis (pink eye): redness, sticky discharge, mild pain.

- Keratitis (corneal infection): sharper pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity; this is more serious and common in contact lens users.

- Blepharitis: inflamed eyelid margins with crusting.

Typical culprits are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and Haemophilus influenzae. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a risky cause of keratitis in people who wear contact lenses and needs fast treatment.

Treatment and prevention — practical steps

First step: stop wearing contact lenses until a clinician clears you. Clean your eyelids gently with a warm, damp cloth to remove crusts. Avoid touching or rubbing the eye.

Most bacterial conjunctivitis responds to topical antibiotic drops or ointment prescribed by a doctor. You should notice improvement within 24–48 hours after starting treatment. For corneal infections or severe cases, doctors usually use stronger antibiotic eye drops and may add oral antibiotics. If symptoms get worse or don’t improve, get re-evaluated.

Prevention is simple but effective: wash hands often, don’t share towels or makeup, replace eye makeup every few months, and follow contact lens hygiene rules — use proper solutions, replace lenses as recommended, and never sleep in lenses unless prescribed.

Watch for danger signs: increasing pain, sudden vision loss, intense light sensitivity, worsening redness or swelling around the eye, fever, or a rapidly spreading infection. Those signs mean you should seek urgent care or go to an emergency room.

Children, people with weak immune systems, and contact lens users need faster attention. If you have diabetes or recent eye surgery and notice any eye infection signs, call your healthcare provider right away.

Quick, commonsense care prevents most problems: keep things clean, stop contacts when sick, and see a provider if symptoms are severe or persistent. That approach cuts the risk of complications and helps you get back to normal sooner.