Eye Infection Treatment: Common Causes, Best Remedies, and What Actually Works

When your eye feels gritty, red, or watery, it’s not just discomfort—it could be an eye infection, an inflammation of the eye caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that requires targeted treatment. Also known as conjunctivitis, it’s one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor or pharmacist, especially in kids and contact lens wearers. Not all red eyes are the same. Some clear up on their own in a few days. Others need antibiotics—or worse, could lead to vision damage if ignored.

There are three main types: bacterial eye infection, often caused by staph or strep bacteria, with thick yellow or green discharge, viral eye infection, usually linked to colds or flu, with watery eyes and light sensitivity, and fungal infections, which are rare but serious, often from trauma or contaminated contact lens solutions. The treatment? antibiotic eye drops, prescription medications like erythromycin or ciprofloxacin that kill bacteria directly at the site of infection for bacterial cases. Viral ones? Nothing works fast—just cold compresses, hygiene, and time. Fungal? That’s a hospital trip.

Don’t guess. If your eye is painful, blurry, or doesn’t improve in 48 hours, see a professional. Over-the-counter redness drops won’t fix an infection—they just hide the symptom. And never share towels, makeup, or contact lens cases. These infections spread fast. The good news? Most bacterial cases clear up in under a week with the right drops. Viral ones take longer but rarely cause lasting harm if you don’t rub your eyes. And yes, contact lens wearers are at higher risk—clean your lenses daily, replace them on schedule, and never sleep in them unless they’re FDA-approved for overnight wear.

Below, you’ll find real comparisons of treatments, what works for different types of infections, and how to avoid mistakes that make things worse. No fluff. No hype. Just what you need to know to get your eyes back to normal—fast.