Viral Eye Infections: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Although eye infections are usually bacterial, they can also be viral. A viral eye infection usually affects both eyes.

Causes

• Viral eye infections can be caused by enterovirus, adenovirus, molluscum contagiosum, varicella-zoster and herpes simplex type 1.

Enterovirus and adenovirus

• Enterovirus and adenovirus can cause the feeling of a foreign body in the eyes, plus redness, tearing, discharge, swollen eyelids, light sensitivity and blurred vision. They usually resolve without treatment; but eye ointment is sometimes used to soothe the eyes.

Molluscum contagiosum

• Molluscum contagiosum can cause eyelid lesions, redness and some discharge. It is treated by removing eyelid lesions with a curette or other instrument.

Varicella-zoster

• Varicella-zoster can cause redness, rash or sores on the lids and around eyes; pain in and around eyes; and corneal swelling and cloudiness. It is treated with antiviral eye drops or pills.

Herpes simplex type 1

• Herpes simplex type 1 can cause pain in and around eyes, the feeling of a foreign body in the eyes, redness, tearing, light sensitivity and corneal swelling and cloudiness. It is treated with antiviral eye drops or pills.

Misconceptions

• Viral eye infections will not improve with antibiotic treatment; however, antibiotics are sometimes used to prevent secondary bacterial infection. Steroids should never be used for viral eye infections.