When your eye turns red, feels gritty, or starts weeping discharge, you’re likely dealing with an eye infection, an inflammation of the eye caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can spread quickly if untreated. Also known as conjunctivitis, it’s one of the most common reasons people visit urgent care—but not every case needs antibiotics. Many assume all red eyes are bacterial and rush for eye drops, but up to 70% of cases are viral and will clear on their own in 7–10 days. The real danger isn’t the infection itself—it’s misusing meds, delaying care, or ignoring warning signs like vision changes or severe pain.
Antibiotic eye drops, medications like ciprofloxacin or tobramycin that target bacterial growth in the eye are only useful for bacterial infections. If you’ve got a cold or flu and your eye gets red, you probably have a virus. Pushing antibiotics here doesn’t help—it just raises your risk of resistance. On the flip side, fungal eye infections are rare but dangerous. They often follow eye injuries from plant material or contact lens misuse and need antifungal treatment, not standard drops. And don’t forget allergies—they can mimic infection with redness and itching, but they respond to antihistamines or steroid drops, not antibiotics.
Conjunctivitis, the most common form of eye infection, comes in three types: bacterial, viral, and allergic. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually starts in one eye, thick yellow discharge, and can spread to the other. Viral conjunctivitis often begins with watery eyes, light sensitivity, and may accompany a sore throat. Allergic conjunctivitis hits both eyes at once, with intense itching and no pus. Knowing the difference isn’t just academic—it decides whether you need a prescription or just a cold compress and time.
Some people try home remedies like tea bags or salt water rinses. While gentle cleansing helps, these don’t kill pathogens. Worse, using unsterile items like fingers or towels can make things worse. If you wear contacts, stop wearing them immediately. Even if your eye feels better, don’t restart contacts until your doctor says it’s safe—biofilm buildup can cause recurring infections.
When should you see a doctor? If your vision blurs, you feel pain deep in the eye, notice a white spot on the cornea, or symptoms don’t improve after 3 days. These aren’t normal. That’s when you risk corneal ulcers, scarring, or even permanent vision loss. Kids and older adults need extra caution—their immune systems respond differently, and infections can escalate faster.
What you’ll find below is a curated set of posts that cut through the noise. You’ll see real comparisons between antibiotics used for eye infections, what to avoid, when to hold off on meds, and how some drugs meant for other uses—like clindamycin or levofloxacin—can still play a role in serious cases. There’s no guesswork here. Just clear, practical info on what works, what doesn’t, and what to do next when your eye won’t stop bothering you.
