An eye infection is a common issue caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to inflammation and discomfort in or around the eye. Addressing an infection promptly with the right medical professional is necessary to prevent complications, including damage to the delicate structures of the eye. Knowing which healthcare provider to visit first impacts recovery time and vision preservation. The correct course depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether the situation is an emergency.
Primary Eye Care Specialists
For most non-emergency eye infections, starting with a dedicated eye care specialist offers the most direct route to effective treatment. These professionals possess specialized equipment, such as slit lamps, necessary to accurately diagnose the type and location of the infection. Seeing a specialist first can prevent the need for multiple appointments or delayed referrals.
Optometrists (ODs) are typically the most accessible choice and act as primary eye care providers. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide variety of common eye infections, including bacterial and viral conjunctivitis (“pink eye”). Optometrists can prescribe antibiotic or antiviral eye drops and oral medications for infections affecting the outer surface of the eye.
Ophthalmologists (MDs or DOs) are medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care, including surgical procedures. They are necessary for complex, severe, or internal infections like keratitis (corneal infection) or uveitis, which involves the inner layers of the eye. If an infection is severe, persistent, or threatens vision, their expertise is required. They offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatments, and their surgical training is indispensable for cases requiring deep tissue sampling or abscess drainage.
General Practitioners and Urgent Care Centers
When a specialist appointment is unavailable, or for non-severe symptoms, general practitioners (GPs) and urgent care centers provide a valuable alternative. These settings are often chosen for convenience, cost, or after-hours access to prescription medication. They can serve as a suitable bridge to specialized care.
A Primary Care Physician (PCP) or GP is appropriate for treating mild, straightforward infections when a specialist is unavailable. They can prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for common bacterial infections like simple conjunctivitis. However, GPs often lack the specialized diagnostic tools, such as high-magnification microscopes, necessary to differentiate simple infections from more serious conditions like a corneal ulcer. If the symptoms are not straightforward or fail to improve after initial treatment, they will typically refer the patient to an eye specialist.
Urgent care centers address immediate, non-severe needs when regular offices are closed. They are equipped to perform initial examinations and provide a diagnosis and first round of medication for conditions like bacterial pink eye. While convenient, they are primarily suited for initial management. If the infection is complex, involves significant vision changes, or requires deeper internal examination, staff should stabilize the patient and refer them promptly to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Signs Requiring Emergency Department Care
Certain symptoms of an eye infection or injury indicate a severe, vision-threatening emergency that requires immediate attention at a hospital Emergency Department (ED). Time is a factor in these situations, as rapid treatment is necessary to prevent permanent vision loss. Do not wait for a specialist appointment or visit an urgent care center if these severe signs are present.
Immediate medical attention is necessary for sudden, significant vision loss or extreme, debilitating eye pain not relieved by over-the-counter medication. This pain can signal conditions like acute glaucoma or a deep internal infection.
Other severe signs include visible trauma to the eye, such as a penetrating injury, or exposure to harsh chemicals, both of which require immediate flushing and specialized hospital care. Symptoms accompanied by systemic illness—like high fever, severe headache, or nausea and vomiting—may indicate the infection has spread beyond the eye socket or into the bloodstream, requiring rapid intravenous antibiotic treatment. Any sudden onset of double vision or inability to move the eye normally should also be treated as an emergency.