Eye infections can be irritating at best, and downright painful at worst. If you are suffering from a persistent or recurring eye infection, there are a few things you need to do.

Know the symptoms of an eye infection

From time to time, you may experience mild eye irritation as a result of allergies, cold or flu. Eye infections, on the other hand, do not clear up with the irritant is removed or when you start to feel better. You might experience symptoms including redness, pain, or discharge from your eye. You may also notice swelling, blurred vision or an increased sensitivity to light - and it's likely that your eyes will either seem unusually watery or dry. One common eye infection is conjunctivitis, which also known as pinkeye and is very contagious. Another is a stye - a bump on your eyelid that is caused when bacteria enter the hair follicle of one (or several) of your eyelashes

Seek out a diagnosis

If you think you may have an eye infection, the best thing to do is seek out treatment as early as possible. Your optometrist will be able to tell you the best action to take, depending on the type and the severity of the infection you have. If you are a contact lens wearer, it is a good idea to switch to your eyeglasses until you have been able to meet with your doctor for a diagnosis. This will reduce your likelihood of spreading your infection or causing further irritation.

What are my treatment options?

Your optometrist will tell you how to treat your eye infection. Treatments largely depend on the type of infection you have and the severity of your symptoms, but often include warm compresses and eye drops or cream. More persistent eye infections may also be treated with antibiotics. This is why it is so important to speak with an expert - this will ensure that you get the right care to break the cycle of recurring eye infections.