What Are Common Eye Infections?
Eye infections can be painful and scary, but eye treatments at UMG Urgent Care in Columbia, MD can help clear the eyes and make them healthy for daily life. Common eye infections can affect both adults and children, ranging from mild to severe with some being highly contagious. One of the most common is conjunctivitis (pink eye), which makes the eyes appear red or pink, causing itching, tearing, and discharge. Eye drops for pink eye can help, but remember that pink eye is often contagious until the discharge clears, usually lasting about a week. Another eye infection is keratitis, affecting the cornea and is often caused by bacteria, viruses, or improperly cleaned contact lenses. Keratitis symptoms include redness, pain, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. Prompt eye infection treatment is crucial to avoid complications. Styes occur when eyelid oil glands get blocked and infected, resulting in painful, red bumps. Though styes aren't directly contagious, the bacteria involved can spread, making good hygiene essential. In children, eye infections can be harder to detect, and child eye infection treatment may be needed to relieve discomfort and prevent issues at school. For quick and proper treatment for eye infections, seek help from our team in Columbia, MD to ensure faster recovery and prevent further complications.
How Are Eye Infections Treated?
Eye infection treatments vary, depending on the cause of the infection. If your eye infection is caused by bacteria, your healthcare provider may recommend eye drops for pink eye or antibiotics to help reduce symptoms quickly. Treatment for bacterial-infected eyes involves a short course of medication to make sure the infection clears up fully. For viral eye infections, such as those caused by a cold or flu virus, antibiotics won't help. Instead, the focus is on soothing symptoms while your body fights off the infection. You may be advised to use warm compresses or lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes comfortable. Styes usually go away on their own, but applying a warm compress several times a day can help them heal faster. Draining the stye may be recommended if it doesn't clear up. For more severe eye infections, like keratitis, your treatment will depend on the type of keratitis you have. Bacterial keratitis is treated with antibiotic drops while viral keratitis might require antiviral medications. These infections need to be treated quickly, as they can cause serious damage to your cornea if left untreated.
What Are the Benefits of Eye Infection Treatment?
Diagnosing the right eye infection as soon as possible is essential. Not only can it help you feel better faster, but it can also prevent complications that could affect your vision in the future. Eye infection treatments UMG Urgent Care offer a number of advantages for our Columbia, MD-area patients, such as:
- Preventing serious complications: Some eye infections, like keratitis, can lead to long-term damage if not treated quickly. Early treatment helps protect your vision.
- Reducing discomfort: Eye infections can cause itching, burning, and pain. Treatment for eye infections helps reduce these symptoms so you can get back to feeling comfortable.
- Shortening contagious period: For infections like pink eye, treatment can help shorten the time you're contagious, reducing the risk of spreading it to others.
- Protecting against vision problems: Even common eye infections can lead to vision issues if left untreated. Timely care is key to preserving your eyesight.
- Tailored treatments for children: Child eye infection treatment can help kids get back to their normal routines without the discomfort that eye infections bring.
UMG Urgent Care Reviews
Visit date: September 4, 2025Office: Clean and quiet. It’s not overstimulating with tv noise or loud patients. Although, I was the only patient in the waiting area.Wait time: I was greeted and immediately attended to. I filled out the standard urgent care forms (online) asking for medical history and insurance information. It took me a little while to complete due to my symptoms and it was a little lengthy. I didn’t keep track of the exact minutes but I was seen immediately after completing the forms.Vitals: The medical assistant that took my vitals was thorough and friendly. Most MA’s skip height and weight and just ask; however this MA checked both.Provider: After the MA’s did a preliminary evaluation, the provider came in. There was barely any wait. She looked my test results, asked me questions and did her own thorough assessment of my current symptoms. She put me at ease, assuring me that my condition wasn’t as bad as initially presumed. I was grateful. Her bedside manners were exceptional. Rare in this field. You can tell she was genuine and truly compassionate about my health. She advised me to go home immediately and to contact her office if I had any concerns about my symptoms.Overall: I am very satisfied and grateful for this staff’s help. This office is about 15-20 minutes from my home but worth the travel all non-emergency medical care. Thank you Nurse Stephanie, APRN.
Excellent experience. Virtually zero wait-time. Extremely competent and understanding professional and office staff. Hands down the best visit I have ever had to any urgent care facility.
What a pleasant surprise! I had to bring my daughter in after the first day of school. We both anticipated a long wait and crowded waiting room. Instead, we were greeted in a modern, new lobby with just one other person. After completing required paperwork, we were taken back quickly to an examination room. The doctor was amazing with my daughter and provided great care with a lovely bedside manner. Overall great customer experience!
Clean, thorough, friendly!
Great experience this weekend with Dr. Stephanie at UMG Urgent Care. She is friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. I really appreciated her kind bedside manner and the hours of the practice are super convenient.
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See the World More Clearly
Eye infections shouldn't be ignored. Whether it's a case of pink eye, keratitis, or a stye, UMG Urgent Care in Columbia, MD is ready to help you find relief. Our providers are experienced in offering the right eye infection treatments so you can feel confident you're getting the best care. Don't let an eye infection affect your day-to-day life. Visit UMG Urgent Care today, and let us help you see the world more clearly.