In January, Anjali woke up with red, itchy eyes with mild swelling. By noon, her eyes had continuous discharge—signs of conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” But she was unaware of this. She panicked, like many other people, and searched Google on ‘how to cure eye infection in 24 hours at home.’ By evening, her parents had to rush her to the doctor, because inflammation had aggravated. It was confirmed that she had Viral Conjunctivitis – a common eye infection affecting millions each year. To avoid such panic, consulting the Best Eye Hospital at the earliest sign of trouble can make a big difference.
In India, viral eye infections such as adenovirus-induced conjunctivitis are among the most common. Research indicates that approximately 80% of infectious conjunctivitis cases in the country are viral.
We do not deny that home remedies for eye infections are not good. But in cases of eye infection, such instant fixes are rare. Medical research shows that starting treatment—like antibiotic drops or cold compresses—within the first 24 hours can reduce symptoms by up to 50%. The key is early action and not quick hacks on how to get rid of eye infections naturally.
24-Hour Action Plan for Managing Eye Infection:
| Time | What You Should Do |
|---|---|
| 0-2 Hours | Wash hands, apply cold compress, avoid touching eyes |
| 2-6 Hours | Monitor if redness or discharge increases, use saline rinse |
| 6-12 Hours | Use lubricating eye drops if needed, continue cold compress |
| 12-24 Hours | If no improvement, see a doctor immediately |
Common Types of Eye Infections:
1. Bacterial Eye Infections (e.g., Bacterial Conjunctivitis):
Bacteria like Staphylococcus or Streptococcus cause these infections in both children and adults. It can spread through contaminated hands or surfaces.
Common signs of eye infection-
- It starts with mild pain or discomfort; then goes on to be redness of eyes with irritation
- Thick yellow or green discharge that leads to sticky eyelids, especially in the morning
- Swelling of the eyelid/eyelids
- Visional changes to blurred
Quick Tip: If you see thick green or yellow discharge, start antibiotic drops immediately after doctor consultation.
2. Viral Eye Infections (e.g., Viral Conjunctivitis):
Adenoviruses cause these are highly contagious infections. It also is often linked to colds or respiratory infections. Viral conjunctivitis is responsible for the majority of infectious conjunctivitis, accounting for up to 75% of cases.
Common signs of eye infection-
- Light sensitivity and Watery discharge are early symptoms
- Burning or gritty feeling
- Redness in the eyes (one or both)
- Swollen lymph nodes near the ear
Quick Tip: Viral infections often come with cold or fever symptoms too.
3. Allergic Eye Infections:
Allergens like dust, pollen, or pet dander can cause this type. Such infections are not contagious but very uncomfortable.
Common signs of eye infection-
- Intense itching when both eyes usually affected
- Watery eyes
- Puffy eyelids
- Sneezing or nasal congestion
Quick Tip: If you sneeze along with red eyes, it’s more likely allergy than infection.
4. Fungal Eye Infections (Rare):
These occur due to injury from plant matter, poor contact lens hygiene, or exposure to contaminated water.
Common signs of eye infection-
- Feeling of something stuck in the eye followed by eye pain and redness
- Blurred or decreased vision
- Light sensitivity
- Discharge (less common)
Quick Tip: Fungal infections usually need stronger medicines prescribed by eye specialists.
How to Spot Signs that Your Eyes are Infected:
Let us tell you about Raj, a schoolteacher. One morning, he noticed redness, swelling, itching, and burning eyes. By afternoon, his vision blurred and the itching worsened. These are classic signs of an eye infection. Thankfully, Raj visited a Best Eye Doctor that evening. With early treatment, his symptoms eased within two days. The takeaway? If you spot redness, discharge, or blurry vision—act fast. Early detection brings quicker relief and prevents the infection from spreading.
Bonus Tip: Use this small symptom checker:
| Symptom | What it Could Mean | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Watery discharge, burning | Viral Conjunctivitis | Cold compress |
| Thick discharge, sticky eyes | Bacterial Conjunctivitis | Antibiotic drops |
| Itchy eyes, sneezing | Allergic Reaction | Antihistamines |
But then a doctor may not always be at your reach right? In that case how do you manage or cure eye infection in 24 hours? Cure can mostly be done by a doctor, so we are now sharing…
How to Manage Eye Infection in 24 Hours Till You Reach The Doctor:
Do:
- Wash your hands often—every time you touch your face.
- Use only a clean towel for your face.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, even if they itch.
Don’t:
- Never share your towel with anyone.
- Avoid using or sharing eye makeup.
- Don’t wear contact lenses until your eye clears up.
- Do not keep on trying home remedies for eye infection.
Read Also: How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes & How to Prevent It
Home Remedies to get Rid of Eye Infection Naturally:
As shared above, it’s not always possible to see a doctor right away. In such cases, safe home remedies can bring comfort or are an answer to minor issues demanding how to get rid of eye infection naturally.
- Cold compress for itching:
Wrap a clean cloth in chilled water and place it gently over closed eyes for 5–10 minutes. It helps reduce itching and swelling. - Saline rinse:
Mix one teaspoon of salt in 500 ml of boiled and cooled water. Dip a sterile dropper or cotton pad in this water and gently rinse the eye. It cleans out dust and mild irritants. - Turmeric water compress:
Boil 1 cup of water with a pinch of turmeric. Let it cool, then soak a clean cloth and place it over your eye. Turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory property helps soothe infection. - Rose water:
Only use if it’s pure and doctor-approved. A few drops can cool and refresh irritated eyes.
Caution: Never put any homemade oils, honey or lemon directly into the eyes — they can harm more than help.
But then, if the signs of infection do not vanish within a few hours, you need to immediately reach out to the nearest eye specialist.
Over-the-Counter Treatments:
- Use Ciplox or Moxigram if there’s yellow or green discharge—these are antibiotic drops. For dryness or mild irritation without discharge, Refresh Tears works well as a lubricating drop.
- But don’t guess—read the label.
- Always follow the correct dosage. Never use expired drops.
- If symptoms worsen in 24–48 hours, see a doctor.
- Eyes are delicate. Self-care is helpful, but timely guidance matters more.
When to See a Doctor:
- When the home remedies for eye infection, do not give relief within a few hours.
- If your eye infection doesn’t get better in 1–2 days, see a doctor.
- If your eye hurts a lot, vision becomes blurry or light feels too bright, don’t wait.
- Green or yellow pus or swollen eyelids, also need quick attention.
- In India, you can first visit a general doctor. But if it’s serious or not improving, go to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist). They know how to treat eye problems in detail.
How to Prevent Future Eye Infections:
- Keep your hands clean. Mostly infections spread through touch so always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes.
- Be careful with contact lenses and eye makeup. Use clean lenses, never sleep with them on, and don’t share makeup-kit with anyone. Also, replace eye products regularly.
- Change pillow covers and towels often. Dirty fabric near your eyes increases eye-infection risk. Wash these once a week.
- God Diet for your eyes – Include vitamin A-rich foods like carrots, spinach and other leafy greens. These help your eyes fight off infections better by boosting the immunity naturally.
Bonus Tip: Zinc and Vitamin C also boost your eyes’ immunity. Include lemon, oranges, almonds and pumpkin seeds in your diet too!
CTA:
Acting quickly and using the right care often brings fast relief from eye infections. So rather than looking for tips on how to cure eye infection in 24 hours, you need to actually stay alert to eye symptoms changes and make hygiene a daily habit. Speak to your eye specialist on how to prevent eye infection! Eyes are the most precious among the five senses, take care!
FAQs:
If you have red eyes, discharge, pain, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light, it could be an eye infection. If symptoms don’t improve in 1–2 days or worsen, consult a doctor.
You can try cold compresses for itching, a saline rinse to clean the eye, or a turmeric water compress to reduce inflammation. But if it doesn’t improve, see a doctor.
Mild eye infections can be managed with proper hygiene and over-the-counter treatments. However, if symptoms worsen or don’t improve in a day, it’s best to visit a doctor.
Wash your hands often, avoid sharing eye makeup or contact lenses, change pillow covers frequently, and eat foods rich in vitamin A like carrots and spinach to keep your eyes healthy.
If you can’t see a doctor right away, focus on hygiene—wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes, and use cold compresses to ease swelling. But get medical help if the infection doesn’t improve.
Foods rich in vitamin A, like carrots, spinach, and leafy greens, help boost immunity and reduce the risk of eye infections.
