An infection of the eye can have different symptoms. It could be an itchy feeling or it may start turning into a shade of pink. A lot depends on which part of the eye is infected. It could be the eyelid, cornea or conjunctiva.

The key signs to watch out for are:

• Pain or discomfort
• Irritation
• Itchy eyes
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Burning sensation in the eye
• The tender feeling in the eyelid
• Watery eyes
• Presence of painful and small lumps under the eyelid or at the base of the eyelashes

Symptoms of conjunctivitis can be diagnosed based on the appearance of the eye.

• Discharge from one or both eyes that could be yellow, green or clear in color
• Red, purple or swollen eyelids
• Pink color present in the white of the eye
• Lashes and lid that become crusty in the morning

It is possible to have a blurry vision and fever also. There would be swelling on the lymph nodes near the ear and one would also find it difficult to wear contact lenses.

Symptoms of keratitis and other frontal eye infections would include:

• Swollen eyelids
• Constant involuntarily blinking
• Photosensitivity
• Discharge of yellow pus
• Redness of the eye

Damage to the retina, optic nerve, or blood vessels does not cause any pain. The main symptom would be deteriorating vision. This condition can be stopped, not reversed. Therefore, it is vital to get the eyes checked regularly.

Another symptom of internal eye damage is floaters. They are tiny fragments in the liquid of the eye. Tiny bubbles or dark spots that slowly fall through the line of vision are its symptoms. Normally everyone has a few floaters but it could be a cause of concern when there is a sudden increase.

It is said that most eye infections are accompanied by other diseases in some parts of the body, even if it’s a common cold. Some of the symptoms of such diseases may not be clear. It is safe to look out for eye pain or visual symptoms and get treated.

Eye infections sometimes have serious complications that could include damage to the retina and formation of scars and ulcers which can obstruct vision in the cornea. Infections like syphilis can provoke glaucoma. It is said that eye problems are often the only visible symptoms of larger infections. For example, chlamydia (a kind of eye infection or conjunctivitis present in a newborn infant) causes no genital symptoms but can cause heart damage and infertility when left untreated.

The presence of other symptoms such as recent or concurrent upper respiratory tract infection, muscular or skeletal pain, mucosal lesions, dysuria, joint stiffness, and genitourinary discharge indicate an underlying systemic cause of eye infection. Most bacterial conjunctivitis is self-limiting and the symptoms resolve without treatment within a week or two.