HOW DO I KNOW IF MY INFECTION IS BACTERIAL, VIRAL OR AN ALLERGY?

To determine if your eye condition is a bacterial infection, viral infection, or allergy, observe your symptoms: bacterial infections causes a  distinctive yellow or green purulent discharge⁴ and often one eye is affected.³

Viral infections typically have watery discharge and can also affect one or both eyes, sometimes with a gritty, sandy feeling.²

Allergic reactions involve itching, clear discharge, and usually affect both eyes, often with other allergy symptoms like sneezing or a stuffy nose.