What is an eye infection?

There is a transparent mucous membrane on the inside of your eye, also called the conjunctiva. When you suffer from inflamed eyes, the conjunctiva is inflamed. This inflammation is usually caused by a bacteria or virus. One or both eyes can be inflamed. Complaints of an eye infection usually disappear after one or two weeks; treatment is therefore not always necessary.

How do I recognize an eye infection?

An eye infection is often accompanied by the following complaints:

• Swollen, painful and red eyes

• Eyelids pressed together, especially early in the morning on waking

• Sticky or slimy discharge from the eye

• The feeling that there is something in the eye

• Blurred vision

Is an eye infection contagious?

An eye infection is contagious. By touching or rubbing your eye you can infect your other eye or other people. Contamination can also occur when someone else uses a towel or washcloth that has come into contact with your inflamed eye. To prevent contamination, it is important to touch your eyes as little as possible, wash your hands regularly and replace your towels or washcloths at the right time.

What causes an eye infection?

An eye infection can have various causes. Common causes include:

• A (cold) virus. A cold is usually the cause of an eye infection. Another virus that can cause an eye infection is a herpes virus.

• A bacterium. Well-known bacteria that can cause eye inflammation are STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

• An allergy. Common allergies that can cause an eye infection are an allergy to house dust mites, dogs and cats or hay fever.

• Irritation to the eye due to environmental factors. Consider dirt in the eye that can lead to inflammation.
  The above list concerns common causes. It may sometimes be the case that an eye infection has a more serious cause. If you have any doubts or persistent complaints, always contact one of our stores.

What can I do about an eye infection?

It is logical that you want to get rid of your eye infection as quickly as possible. If you suffer from an eye infection, you can apply these tips.

• Touch your eyes as little as possible. If you have touched your eyes, it is important to wash your hands immediately.

• Keep the infected eye clean. You can use a wet cotton pad or cotton swab for this. Make sure you wipe the mucus from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner so that you can easily remove the mucus.

• Don't wear eye makeup

• Do not wear contact lenses and wear glasses temporarily. Do you normally wear soft contact lenses? Then throw these away and put in new ones as soon as you get rid of your eye infection. Do you normally wear hard contact lenses? Clean these extra well as soon as you can wear them again. Also make sure you have a new lens case, so that you minimize the risk of new contamination.

An eye infection usually clears up within one to two weeks and treatment is therefore not necessary. Do your complaints persist? Please always contact one of our stores.

How can I prevent an eye infection?

Prevention is better than cure. Although an eye infection is often harmless, having inflamed eyes is very annoying. You can prevent eye infections with these tips:

• Make sure your eyes are clean, for example by removing your eye makeup every evening
• Don't lend your eye makeup to others; this can cause contamination
• Do not use your contact lenses for longer than the period for which they are intended
• Clean your contact lenses thoroughly every day. Here Read more about the care of contact lenses.

We are ready for you

Do you continue to suffer from an eye infection? Contact one of the stores near you.

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