srjcmsSRJCMSSRJCMS2788-885110.47310/srjcms.2025.v05i01.005Infection Alert!: How Well Does the Public Understand Eye Infections Like Stye, Blepharitis and Keratitis?Background: Eye infections such as stye (hordeolum), blepharitis and keratitis are common yet often misunderstood conditions that can lead to serious ocular complications if left untreated. These infections, though preventable and manageable with early intervention, remain under-recognized due to limited public awareness-especially in low-resource settings. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to these infections among the general population of Himachal Pradesh, India, to identify existing gaps and inform future eye health education strategies. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2024 using a structured, validated online questionnaire. The survey included 400 adult participants (aged >18 years) from both urban and rural regions of Himachal Pradesh. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic details, awareness of symptoms and causes, preventive practices and healthcare-seeking behavior related to stye, blepharitis and keratitis. Responses were scored and categorized into four knowledge levels: Very Good (>80%), Good (60-79%), Fair (41-59%) and Poor (<40%). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests applied to explore associations. Results: Of the 400 participants, 51.8% were male and 48.3% female, with a majority aged 26-45 years. Rural residents comprised 59.5% of the sample. While 80.3% correctly identified a stye and 72.0% understood the cause of blepharitis, only 59.8% were aware of vitamin A’s role in preventing eye infections. Although 88.5% recognized keratitis as contagious and 87.3% correctly identified ophthalmologists as the appropriate specialists, fewer respondents identified specific symptoms of these infections. Overall, 40.8% of participants demonstrated  Very  Good  knowledge,  36.8%  Good,  15.5%  Fair and 7.0% Poor. Lower knowledge scores were significantly associated with rural residence and lower educational attainment. Conclusion: The study reveals a moderately high level of general awareness regarding eye infections among the population of Himachal Pradesh. However, notable gaps exist in the recognition of symptoms, understanding of risk factors and adoption of preventive measures-especially in rural and less-educated communities. Targeted, culturally appropriate educational interventions are urgently needed to bridge these gaps, promote early treatment and reduce the preventable burden of eye infections.