If you wake up with red, crusty, or itchy eyes, you may have an urgent care eye infection. Eye infections are one of the most common reasons people visit CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro. Most are not serious, but some need prompt treatment to protect your vision. This guide explains the most common types of eye infections, when to seek care, and when to head to the emergency room.
What Is an Eye Infection?
An eye infection happens when bacteria, a virus, or an allergen irritates the tissues around your eye. The most common types are conjunctivitis (pink eye), styes, and blepharitis. Each has different causes, symptoms, and treatments.
CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro can evaluate and treat most eye infections the same day — no appointment needed. Book your visit online to save your spot.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Bacterial vs. Viral vs. Allergic
Pink eye — also called conjunctivitis — is an inflammation of the clear membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the white of your eye and lines the inside of your eyelid. It makes the eye look pink or red. There are three main types:
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial pink eye is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Symptoms include:
- Thick yellow or green discharge
- Crusting on the eyelids, especially in the morning
- Red, irritated eye — often both eyes are affected
- Swollen eyelids
Bacterial conjunctivitis responds well to antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Treatment typically clears the infection within 5–7 days. An urgent care provider can examine your eye and prescribe the right antibiotic. Learn more about whether urgent care can prescribe antibiotics.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral pink eye is usually linked to the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu. It spreads very easily. Symptoms include:
- Watery, clear discharge
- Burning or itchy feeling
- Light sensitivity
- Often starts in one eye, then spreads to the other
There is no antibiotic that treats a virus, so treatment focuses on comfort: cool compresses, artificial tears, and keeping your hands away from your eyes. Viral pink eye usually clears up on its own in 1–2 weeks.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites. Unlike bacterial or viral pink eye, it is not contagious. Symptoms include:
- Intense itching in both eyes
- Watery, clear discharge
- Redness and puffiness
- Often comes with sneezing or a runny nose
Treatment includes antihistamine eye drops, oral antihistamines, and avoiding your triggers. A provider at CityHealth can help you find the right solution.
For same-day care, visit CityHealth San Leandro urgent care — walk-ins welcome, open 7 days a week.
Styes: Painful Bumps on the Eyelid
A stye (also spelled “sty”) is a red, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid. It looks like a pimple. A stye forms when the oil glands at the base of your eyelashes get infected, usually by bacteria.
Most styes go away on their own within a week. You can speed healing by applying a warm compress for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times a day. Do not squeeze or pop a stye — this can spread the infection.
See a provider if the stye:
- Does not improve after a week of warm compresses
- Grows larger or becomes more painful
- Affects your vision
- Spreads to other parts of your eyelid
A provider may prescribe antibiotic ointment or drain the stye in the office if it is large and does not respond to warm compresses.
Blepharitis: Chronic Eyelid Inflammation
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, usually at the base of the eyelashes. It is one of the most common eye conditions. It is not contagious, but it can be uncomfortable and tends to come back.
Symptoms include:
- Red, swollen eyelids
- Greasy or crusty scales at the base of eyelashes
- Itching or burning
- A gritty, sandy feeling in the eye
- Eyelashes that fall out or grow in the wrong direction
Blepharitis is usually caused by a bacteria overgrowth, skin conditions like rosacea, or clogged oil glands. Treatment includes daily eyelid scrubs, warm compresses, and sometimes antibiotic ointment. A provider can help you set up a routine that keeps flare-ups under control.
When to See a Provider for an Eye Infection
Most eye infections are mild and treatable at an urgent care clinic. You should visit CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro if you have:
- Thick yellow or green discharge that keeps coming back
- Symptoms that do not improve after a few days
- A stye that is growing or not improving
- An eye infection in a child under 1 year old
- Worsening redness, swelling, or pain
- Concerns about whether your infection is bacterial or viral
No appointment needed — walk in or save your spot online.
When an Urgent Care Eye Infection Becomes an ER Emergency
Some eye symptoms are medical emergencies that require the ER, not urgent care. Go to the emergency room immediately if you have:
- Sudden vision loss or significant blurring — could indicate a detached retina or other serious condition
- Severe eye pain — especially if accompanied by nausea or vomiting (could be acute glaucoma)
- Trauma to the eye — chemical splash, foreign object, or physical injury
- Visible change in eye shape or bulging
- Spreading redness around the eye socket — may indicate orbital cellulitis, a serious infection
Read our guide on urgent care vs. ER — when to go where for a full breakdown of what each handles.
When to See an Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye health. You should see one (rather than urgent care) if you have:
- Recurring pink eye or chronic blepharitis that does not respond to treatment
- A known history of eye conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration
- A corneal infection (keratitis) — this is a serious condition that needs specialist care
- Eye symptoms related to an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) provides detailed guidance on conjunctivitis and when specialist care is needed.
How to Keep Eye Infections from Spreading
Eye infections — especially bacterial and viral conjunctivitis — spread easily. Here is how to protect yourself and others:
- Wash your hands often, especially before touching your face
- Do not share towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup
- Throw away eye makeup used during the infection
- Avoid touching your infected eye and then touching your other eye
- Stay home from school or work while symptoms are active (especially with viral pink eye)
- Replace your contact lenses and case after recovering
Eye Infections in Children
Pink eye is very common in children, especially those in school or daycare. Kids spread it easily through hand contact. If your child has:
- Red, crusty eyes in the morning
- Complaints of itching or burning
- Yellow discharge that keeps coming back
…bring them in. CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro sees patients of all ages. Our providers can quickly assess whether your child needs antibiotic eye drops or just some supportive care at home.
Newborns with eye discharge should always be evaluated promptly — neonatal conjunctivitis can be more serious and may require specific treatment.
Book Same-Day Care at CityHealth
CityHealth San Leandro — open 7 days a week. Walk-ins welcome, most insurance accepted. On-site lab and X-ray.
Contact Lens Wearers: Special Precautions
If you wear contact lenses, you are at higher risk for certain eye infections. Follow these rules:
- Stop wearing contacts at the first sign of an eye infection
- Never sleep in your contacts (unless specifically approved by your eye doctor)
- Replace your lens case every 3 months
- Use only sterile lens solution — never tap water or saliva
- Do not wear contacts again until you have been cleared by a provider
Contact lens-related infections can be more serious than regular conjunctivitis. If you wear contacts and develop eye pain or redness, see a provider promptly. Also see our post on urgent care for sore throat — many of the same respiratory viruses that cause sore throats can also trigger viral pink eye.
Get Same-Day Care for Eye Infections in San Leandro
CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro is open seven days a week for walk-in and online check-in appointments. Our providers can evaluate your eye infection, determine whether it is bacterial, viral, or allergic, and start the right treatment the same day.
Do not wait for an eye infection to get worse. Book your appointment at CityHealth Urgent Care in San Leandro today.
