Bacterial Eye Infection: Causes, Treatments, and What to Avoid

When your eye turns red, feels gritty, or oozes gunk, it’s often a bacterial eye infection, a common eye condition caused by harmful bacteria entering the eye. Also known as bacterial conjunctivitis, it’s not usually serious—but left untreated, it can spread fast and damage your vision. Unlike viral or allergic eye irritation, bacterial infections need antibiotics to clear up. They don’t go away on their own, and waiting too long can turn a simple case into something worse.

These infections often start after touching your eye with dirty hands, sharing towels, or wearing contacts too long. Kids get them in school, adults get them after swimming or using old makeup. The bacteria most to blame? Staphylococcus, a common skin germ that can easily invade the eye, and Streptococcus, a throat and nose bacteria that sometimes finds its way to the eye. You’ll know it’s bacterial if your eye is stuck shut in the morning with thick yellow or green discharge. Viral infections usually cause watery eyes; bacterial ones make them sticky.

Antibiotic eye drops are the standard fix—prescribed by a doctor after checking the infection. Over-the-counter redness relievers won’t touch it. Some people try home remedies like warm compresses or tea bags, but those only help with comfort, not the bug itself. Skipping antibiotics? You risk the infection spreading to your other eye, or worse, to your eyelid or cornea. And yes, it’s contagious. Wash your hands constantly. Don’t share pillows, makeup, or towels. Throw out any eye products you used while infected.

There’s a reason you’ll find articles here about antibiotics and eye health. Many of the posts in this collection deal with how medications like levofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for bacterial eye and respiratory infections, work in the body. Others explain how overusing antibiotics can lead to yeast infections or antibiotic resistance—both of which matter if you’re treating an eye infection. You’ll also find guides on how to safely buy generic antibiotics online, which is useful if you need refills or live far from a pharmacy.

Eye hygiene isn’t just about cleaning your lashes. It’s about knowing what not to do. Don’t rub your eyes. Don’t use expired drops. Don’t wear contacts overnight. And don’t assume red eyes are just allergies. If your eye stays red for more than two days, or if you feel pain, light sensitivity, or blurred vision, see a doctor. Bacterial eye infections are common, but they’re not something to guess your way through.

Below, you’ll find real, practical advice from people who’ve been there—how to manage treatment gaps, avoid side effects from antibiotics, and spot when something’s more than just a simple infection. No fluff. Just what works.