Eye infections can be unsightly and painful, but they can also end up being a serious issue if you don't have your eye infection treated properly. An eye infection can turn into an eye issue that can affect your vision permanently if you aren't careful. If you suspect you have an eye infection, you should make an appointment with your optometrist to have it treated right away. If you aren't able to get into the optometrist office right away, there are a few things you can do to help you soothe your eyes. Read on for tips to treat your eye infection and ways to prevent one as well.
Treating An Eye Infection
You should leave the treatment of en eye infection to an optometrist, but to heal your eyes and soothe any pain you may be feeling, you can do a few things, such as:
- Apply A Warm Compress. Soak a washcloth in warm water and apply it to the eye. It can help to soothe the eye and also reduce any inflammation as well. Apply the warm compress for about 15 minutes, then remove it to allow the eye time to breathe.
- Wear Eyeglasses. Wear your eyeglasses rather than wearing your contact lenses. The contact lenses you were wearing when the eye infection started should be tossed. Don't wear any contact lenses until your eye infection has cleared up. Also be sure to deep clean your lens case, or throw it away and get a new one to prevent causing another eye infection later down the road.
- Wash Your Hands Constantly. Be sure you wash your hands constantly and don't rub or scratch your eyes, as you could worsen your eye infection, or you could spread it to the other eye.
Preventing An Eye Infection
To help you prevent an eye infection in the first place is important. One of the biggest thing you can do to prevent an eye infection is to never touch your eyes, or even take out your contact lenses until you have washed your hands. The eye infection is most likely caused by germs spread to your eyes from your hands. Clean your contact lenses often, and wear them as instructed by your optometrist.
If you think you have an eye infection, make an appointment with your optometrist for an exam and for treatment options. If you an eye issue, always be sure to go to the optometrist or an eye care specialist for a thorough eye exam.
When you open your eyes in the morning, you enjoy a fresh look at the world around you. If you want to protect your eyes and ensure you always get to enjoy that wonderful morning view, then you really need to see an optometrist regularly. These eye doctors will assess your vision, detect issues early on, and recommend glasses or contacts, if needed, to ensure you're able to see sharply. The work of optometrists is important and meaningful, and we are happy to honor it on this website. Read the articles we've collected for more insight into this world of vision.