How to avoid eye infections

...and what to do if you get one

Sir Elton John recently revealed on ABC's Good Morning America that he lost the sight in his right eye after suffering from an eye infection. With poor vision in his left eye too, John said, "It's been four months now since I haven't been able to see."

Reassuringly, the most common eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, are not usually sight-threatening and go away without treatment. Conjunctivitis is known as pink eye because the conjunctiva (a thin membrane covering the white sclera), turns pink and sore.

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common conjunctivitis. It typically makes your eyes irritated and feel gritty, with watery or mucous discharge. Using a cool, clean compress and gently wiping away eyelid crusting helps keep your eyes comfortable as they heal.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is the next most common. It is more likely to have thicker yellow or green discharge that might crust on the eyelids and lashes. It usually gets better in one or two weeks without treatment, but antibiotic eye drops may speed this up a little, helping a quicker return to work or school.

If your eyes are pink, sore and itchy at certain times of the year, it's probably allergic conjunctivitis, which commonly accompanies hay fever. Around 40% of people suffer from allergic conjunctivitis at some point and it's eased by antihistamines in the form of eye drops and tablets.