An estimated one million Americans head to the eye doctor each year with symptoms of an eye infection. At Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates, therapeutic optometrist and optometric glaucoma specialist Edwin Y. Endo, OD, and the team offer comprehensive eye infection care for adults and children, including diagnostic testing and treatment plans using medicated eye drops and other strategies. They also specialize in eye emergencies that increase your risk for infections, vision loss, and other long-term complications. Call the office in the Aiea-Pearl City neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, to schedule an eye infection evaluation or book an appointment online today.
An eye infection occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi settle into your eye. Two common eye infections that affect adults and children include:
A stye is a bump on your eyelid that develops when bacteria from your skin infects the hair follicles of your eyelashes.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, develops from a bacterial or viral infection in the membrane that lines your eyelid.
Eye infections can spread from person to person through physical contact or eye injuries like a blow to the eye or chemicals in the eye.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates as soon as you notice symptoms of an eye infection. Symptoms can include:
An infection can also cause a gritty feeling in the eyes.
Some infections and injuries can be an eye emergency. You should seek immediate medical treatment at the nearest emergency room if you develop symptoms like:
An eye emergency also includes having an object stuck in your eye. Glass, wood splinters, and other materials can damage tissues and nerves in your eye and lead to serious infections and eye emergencies. Without treatment, these issues can lead to vision loss or permanent blindness.
Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates offers comprehensive eye exams to confirm that an eye infection is the cause of your symptoms. Based on the results of your testing, the team customizes a care plan to clear the infection and relieve your symptoms.
Treating an eye infection typically involves medicated eye drops or oral antibiotics, depending on the type of infection you have. The team may recommend that you avoid wearing contact lenses until the infection clears.
For injuries and eye emergencies, the team can provide guidance and refer you to the appropriate specialist for additional care. They continue to monitor your condition and work closely with you to prevent long-term complications like recurrent infections or blindness.
Call the office of Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates to schedule an evaluation for symptoms of an eye infection or eye emergency, or book an appointment online today.