Final answer:
Inflammation of the eye is called ophthalmitis. It encompasses various conditions like conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and keratitis, which are often caused by infections and lead to symptoms like redness, irritation, and discharge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inflammation of the eye is called ophthalmitis. This term refers to the general inflammation of eye tissues, which can affect various parts of the eye. Infections of the eye can lead to different types of inflammation, including conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), among others. Bacterial and viral infections are common culprits of such eye conditions, and they often cause symptoms like redness, irritation, discharge, and sometimes more serious complications such as scarring and vision loss.
For example, bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is characterized by the inflammation of the conjunctiva, often accompanied by a purulent discharge. It is highly contagious and typically treated with antibiotics if bacterial in origin.