Eye Infection Doctor in Andheri | Crystal Clear Eye Clinic | Andheri West

Eye infections can range from mild, self-limiting conditions to sight-threatening emergencies that require immediate medical intervention. If you’re looking for an experienced eye infection doctor in Andheri, Crystal Clear Eye Clinic on SV Road, Andheri West offers expert diagnosis and treatment for all types of eye infections—from common conjunctivitis to serious corneal and intraocular infections.

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Led by Dr. Jignesh Gala, FRCS (Glasgow), the clinic provides comprehensive infectious eye disease management using advanced diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatment protocols. With 162,441+ patients treated and 25,780+ surgical procedures performed, Dr. Gala brings unmatched expertise to infection management.

1. What Causes Eye Infections?

Eye infections are caused by microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—that invade the eye tissues. The type of infection depends on which part of the eye is affected and the offending organism.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

The most common eye infection. Conjunctivitis affects the thin transparent membrane covering the white of the eye and inner eyelids.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: Caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Pseudomonas. Presents with thick yellow-green discharge, eyelids stuck together on waking, and rapid onset. Common in children and after eye trauma.

Viral conjunctivitis: Most commonly caused by adenovirus. Highly contagious with watery discharge, foreign body sensation, and often associated with recent upper respiratory infection. Outbreaks are common in schools and offices. According to American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines, viral conjunctivitis is managed supportively as it typically resolves within 2 weeks.

Keratitis (Corneal Infection)

Infection of the cornea—the clear front window of the eye. This is vision-threatening and requires urgent treatment.

Bacterial keratitis: Common in contact lens wearers. Causes severe pain, blurred vision, and a white infiltrate on the cornea. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a particularly aggressive pathogen.

Fungal keratitis: Often follows trauma with vegetable matter (plant leaves, twigs). More common in agricultural workers. Fusarium and Aspergillus are common causative organisms. Treatment is prolonged and challenging.

Viral keratitis: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause. Presents with characteristic branching (dendritic) ulcers on the cornea. Recurrences are common. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (shingles affecting the eye) can cause devastating corneal and intraocular complications.

Acanthamoeba keratitis: A rare but devastating parasitic infection strongly associated with contact lens use and exposure to contaminated water. Extremely painful and difficult to treat.

Stye (Hordeolum)

An acute bacterial infection of an eyelid oil gland (meibomian or Zeis gland). Presents as a painful, red, swollen lump on the eyelid margin. Usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Most resolve with warm compresses, but some require incision and drainage.

Blepharitis

Chronic inflammation and infection of the eyelid margins. Often associated with Staphylococcus colonisation and seborrheic dermatitis. Causes chronic redness, crusting, burning, and recurrent styes.

Dacryocystitis

Infection of the tear sac (lacrimal sac) usually due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Presents as a painful, red swelling at the inner corner of the eye with tearing and discharge. Acute cases require antibiotics; chronic cases may need dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.

Endophthalmitis

A devastating infection inside the eye involving the vitreous and aqueous humours. Usually occurs after eye surgery, penetrating trauma, or spreads from a bloodstream infection. This is an ophthalmic emergency requiring immediate intravitreal antibiotic injection and possibly surgery.

Orbital Cellulitis

Infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, usually spreading from sinusitis. Presents with swollen eyelids, fever, pain with eye movement, and possibly vision changes. Requires urgent hospital admission and IV antibiotics.

2. When to See an Eye Doctor

Urgent — Same Day

Emergency — Immediate Care

3. How Eye Infections are Diagnosed at Crystal Clear Eye Clinic

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of successful infection treatment. Dr. Gala follows a rigorous diagnostic protocol:

Diagnostic Test	When It’s Used	What It Identifies
Slit Lamp Examination	All cases	Location, extent, and severity of infection
Visual Acuity	All cases	Impact on vision
Fluorescein Staining	Suspected corneal involvement	Corneal epithelial defects, dendritic ulcers
Corneal Scraping	Corneal ulcers	Gram stain, KOH prep, culture, sensitivity
Conjunctival Swab PCR	Viral conjunctivitis, HSV	Adenovirus, HSV DNA detection
IOP Measurement	All moderate-severe cases	Secondary glaucoma from infection
B-scan Ultrasonography	Severe infections with opaque media	Posterior segment involvement
Blood Tests	Systemic symptoms, recurrent infections	Diabetes, immunodeficiency

Dr. Gala emphasises corneal scraping for culture in all cases of infectious keratitis. This allows targeted antibiotic therapy based on sensitivity results rather than empirical treatment alone.

4. Treatment Options at Crystal Clear Eye Clinic

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Broad-spectrum antibiotic drops (fluoroquinolones or aminoglycosides) 4-6 times daily for 5-7 days. Eyelid hygiene for associated blepharitis. Most patients show improvement within 48 hours.

Viral Conjunctivitis

Supportive care: preservative-free lubricating drops, cold compresses, strict hygiene. No antibiotics needed. Patients are counselled about contagion and advised to stay home for 3-5 days. Severe adenoviral cases may benefit from topical steroids under close supervision.

Bacterial Keratitis

Intensive fortified antibiotic therapy: Customised fortified cephalosporin and aminoglycoside drops hourly around the clock initially, with tapering based on response. Cycloplegic drops for pain. Daily monitoring until infection is controlled. Hospitalisation for severe cases. Treatment typically continues for 2-4 weeks.

Fungal Keratitis

Natamycin 5% drops (the only FDA-approved antifungal for ocular use) hourly, often combined with oral antifungals. Treatment continues for 6-8 weeks or longer. Fungal infections heal slowly and require extreme patience and compliance.

Herpetic Keratitis

Topical antiviral drops (trifluridine or ganciclovir) 5 times daily for 10-14 days. Oral acyclovir/valacyclovir for deeper involvement or recurrent disease. Steroids are strictly contraindicated in active epithelial disease but may be used cautiously for stromal keratitis under specialist supervision.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Biguanide antiseptics (polyhexamethylene biguanide PHMB 0.02% or chlorhexidine 0.02%) hourly drops, often combined with diamidine propamidine. Treatment continues for months. This is one of the most challenging infections in ophthalmology.

Endophthalmitis

Emergency intravitreal antibiotic injection (vancomycin + ceftazidime) in the operating room. Vitrectomy surgery for severe cases. Systemic antibiotics. This is a vision-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.

Stye and Blepharitis

Warm compresses, lid hygiene with diluted baby shampoo or commercial lid scrubs, antibiotic ointment for the lid margin, and oral doxycycline for severe or recurrent blepharitis. Large styes may need incision and drainage.

5. About Dr. Jignesh Gala

Dr. Jignesh M. Gala is one of the most qualified eye infection specialists in Mumbai, with extensive training in corneal and infectious eye diseases.

Credentials for Infection Management

• FRCS (Ophthalmology) — Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow
• Fellowship in Comprehensive Ophthalmology — L V Prasad Eye Institute (extensive corneal exposure)
• Fellowship in Medical & Surgical Retina — L V Prasad Eye Institute
• International Observer — Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
• Former Assistant Professor — TNMC & BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai
• 7+ Research Publications including work on infectious eye diseases

During his fellowship at L V Prasad Eye Institute—which handles one of the highest volumes of corneal infections in India—Dr. Gala gained extensive experience in managing bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic keratitis. His research background ensures his treatment protocols reflect the latest evidence.

6. Advanced Technology for Diagnosis

Crystal Clear Eye Clinic provides:

Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy with Photography

Detailed visual documentation of infection progression or healing.

In-Vivo Confocal Microscopy

Non-invasive imaging at the cellular level—can identify fungal filaments and Acanthamoeba cysts directly, enabling rapid diagnosis without waiting for culture results.

Anterior Segment OCT

Measures corneal thickness and monitors ulcer depth and healing response.

Microbiology Laboratory

Corneal scraping for Gram stain, KOH preparation, culture on blood/chocolate/Sabouraud agar, and antibiotic sensitivity testing.

7. Patient Success Stories

Story 1: The Farmer’s Fungal Ulcer

Mr. Prakash B., 48, a farmer from Palghar, suffered an eye injury while harvesting. He developed a white patch on his cornea with severe pain. At Crystal Clear Eye Clinic, Dr. Gala diagnosed fungal keratitis through corneal scraping and KOH examination. With intensive natamycin drops and close monitoring over 8 weeks, the infection cleared completely. “Dr. Gala saved my eye. The treatment was long but his patience and expertise got me through,” he says.

Story 2: Contact Lens Emergency

Ms. Neha T., 25, from Lokhandwala, presented with excruciating pain in her right eye after swimming with contact lenses. Dr. Gala diagnosed Acanthamoeba keratitis—a rare parasitic infection. With PHMB drops and intensive treatment over 4 months, the infection resolved with preserved vision. “I never knew swimming with lenses could do this. Dr. Gala’s persistence saved my sight,” she shares.

Story 3: Child’s Recurrent Eye Infection

4-year-old Aarav from Goregaon had 6 episodes of eye infection in 8 months. Dr. Gala identified chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction with recurrent dacryocystitis. After a probing procedure and antibiotic treatment, the infections stopped completely. “Finding the root cause changed everything. Aarav has been infection-free for a year now,” his father says.

8. Cost & Insurance

Service	Cost (₹)
Eye Infection Consultation	800 – 1,500
Slit Lamp & Fluorescein Exam	Included
Corneal Scraping & Culture	1,500 – 2,500
Antibiotic Drops (prescription)	200 – 1,000
Intensive Keratitis Treatment	2,000 – 5,000/course
Intravitreal Injection (endophthalmitis)	15,000 – 25,000

30+ Cashless TPA Tie-ups | Direct Cashless via Topax Eye Care | EMI Available

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

10. Book Your Appointment