How Can I Prevent an Eye Infections?

You may not be able to prevent every eye infection, but you can take steps to reduce your risk.These may include: Making sure you follow directions on how to use your contact lenses, how to clean them and how long to wear them, Wearing protective eye gear when you work or participate in sports, Avoiding allergens that bother your eyes and taking allergy medicine to prevent irritation, Avoiding people who may be ill, Practising good hand hygiene, Not sharing items, like towels or eye makeup, that touch your eye, Throwing out cosmetics if you develop an eye infection so you won’t get re-infected.

How is an Eye Infection Treated?

Treatment for eye infections depends on what’s causing your eye infection. It might include anti-infective medication in various forms, such as eye drops, ointments or tablets. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for antibacterial medications to work. You may have to let viral or allergic infections clear on their own, but you may be able to make yourself more comfortable with the following home remedies: Using damp, warm or cool compresses to make your eyes feel better, Using lubricating eye drops (artificial tears), Using over-the-counter pain relievers, Avoiding allergens that caused the reaction in the first place.

What Are The Common Eye Conditions

There are a number of common eye conditions, these can include:Conjunctivitis - a common eye condition that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids.Blepharitis - a common eye condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. This inflammation can lead to redness, itching, burning, and crusty eyelids. Cellulitis - a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissue beneath your skin. Dacryocystitis - an infection of your tear sac that can happen when your tear ducts become blocked and can’t drain properly.Endophthalmitis - serious inflammation and infection of the fluids within your eye.Stye - a painful red bump on the edge of your eyelid.Uveitis - a condition where you have inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body and choroid.

What Causes an Eye Infection?

You can get eye infections from bacteria, fungi (plural of fungus), parasites and viruses. These small organisms can enter your eyes in many different ways, including eye injuries. One of the most common ways to get an eye infection is to sleep in your contact lenses. It’s also common to get an eye infection if you don’t properly clean your lenses.

Why it’s Important to Throw Away Items After an Infection

Following an eye infection, it is important to throw away any makeup tools, contact lenses, and the contact lens solution and cases you used during the infection.

When Should You Wash Your Hands?

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. By washing your hands with soap and water, you can significantly reduce your risk of infection and protect yourself and others.After using the toilet, or entering a bathroom Making contact with someone with a cold or infection Before and after touching your eyes Before and after touching contact lenses Before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables Before eating or handling food After blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing Before and after treating a cut or wound After touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages

The Link Between Hand Washing and Eye Infections

Post Date : January 2, 2025
- Eye Health
- General Health
2 minutes read

Washing your hands is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of getting or spreading eye infections amongst other things. Colds and infections are commonly transmitted due to poor hand hygiene. It’s important to wash your hands properly, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after touching your eyes, nose or mouth. It’s also important to remember that bacteria may be present on work surfaces, door handles and other everyday items.

It is advised that you carry hand sanitizer for times when soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 

Common eye conditions that can be caused by not washing your hands:

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): This highly contagious infection can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Poor hand hygiene can easily spread these germs to your eyes.

Styes: These are painful, red bumps on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection. Touching your eyes with dirty hands can introduce bacteria and lead to a stye.

Corneal Ulcers: These are open sores on the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. They can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, often resulting from poor hand hygiene.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Prevent an Eye Infections?
You may not be able to prevent every eye infection, but you can take steps to reduce your risk.

These may include:
Making sure you follow directions on how to use your contact lenses, how to clean them and how long to wear them,

Wearing protective eye gear when you work or participate in sports,

Avoiding allergens that bother your eyes and taking allergy medicine to prevent irritation,

Avoiding people who may be ill,

Practising good hand hygiene,

Not sharing items, like towels or eye makeup, that touch your eye,

Throwing out cosmetics if you develop an eye infection so you won’t get re-infected.
How is an Eye Infection Treated?
Treatment for eye infections depends on what’s causing your eye infection. It might include anti-infective medication in various forms, such as eye drops, ointments or tablets. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for antibacterial medications to work.

You may have to let viral or allergic infections clear on their own, but you may be able to make yourself more comfortable with the following home remedies:
Using damp, warm or cool compresses to make your eyes feel better,

Using lubricating eye drops (artificial tears),

Using over-the-counter pain relievers,

Avoiding allergens that caused the reaction in the first place.
What Are The Common Eye Conditions
There are a number of common eye conditions, these can include:
Conjunctivitis – a common eye condition that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids.

Blepharitis – a common eye condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. This inflammation can lead to redness, itching, burning, and crusty eyelids.

Cellulitis – a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissue beneath your skin.

Dacryocystitis – an infection of your tear sac that can happen when your tear ducts become blocked and can’t drain properly.

Endophthalmitis – serious inflammation and infection of the fluids within your eye.

Stye – a painful red bump on the edge of your eyelid.

Uveitis – a condition where you have inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body and choroid.
What Causes an Eye Infection?

You can get eye infections from bacteria, fungi (plural of fungus), parasites and viruses. These small organisms can enter your eyes in many different ways, including eye injuries.

One of the most common ways to get an eye infection is to sleep in your contact lenses. It’s also common to get an eye infection if you don’t properly clean your lenses.
Why it’s Important to Throw Away Items After an Infection

Following an eye infection, it is important to throw away any makeup tools, contact lenses, and the contact lens solution and cases you used during the infection. 
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. By washing your hands with soap and water, you can significantly reduce your risk of infection and protect yourself and others.

After using the toilet, or entering a bathroom

Making contact with someone with a cold or infection

Before and after touching your eyes

Before and after touching contact lenses

Before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables

Before eating or handling food

After blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages

If you have any concerns about your eyes, please see your optician for assessment and diagnosis. For more information and to find out the best way to wash your hands visit the NHS website.