Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Almost everyone has experienced pink eye, either through first hand experience or through the horror stories told by associates who have contracted the condition themselves. But what exactly is conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye, occurs when the conjunctiva, a membrane covering the inside of the eyeball and sclera, becomes inflamed. As you can probably imagine from the description alone, conjunctivitis can be an extremely embarrassing and uncomfortable condition. Inflammation in the eyeball also causes blood vessels to become noticeably more prominent, hence the term red or pink eye. Pink eye can effect one, or in some unfortunate cases, both eyes. There are three types of conjunctivitis:

Bacterial conjunctivitis – Bacteria conjunctivitis is rare yet highly contagious. This type of pink eye is often associated with an excessive amount of discharge and, in severe cases, difficulty opening their eyes after sleeping. Antibiotic eye drops can help decrease the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis – Viral conjunctivitis is the most common and most highly contagious form of the condition. Plenty of rest, relaxation, and cool compresses on the eyes can help speed recovery from viral conjunctivitis. The cold or flu-like symptoms that accompany viral conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis – Unlike bacterial and viral conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Instead, environmental irritants trigger this type of conjunctivitis. Cold compresses and allergy eye drops can help relieve the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Your ophthalmologist

Symptoms of Pink Eye

The symptoms of pink eye vary in type and severity. The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

Ocular swelling

Re or pinkness of the eye/eyes

Watery eyes

Irritated eyes

Itchy eyes

Blurred vision

Eyelash crusting

If you are currently experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed above, you may have contracted pink eye. Consult an expert ophthalmologist as soon as possible to find out which treatment option could help speed your recovery from conjunctivitis.

How can I Prevent Against Contacting Pink Eye?

Conjunctivitis is very contagious. Taking the following precautions could help you protect yourself from contracting pink eye:

Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face throughout the day.

Do not reuse towels and/or tissues after wiping your face and eyes.

Clean your contact lenses and case properly and often.

Many cases of conjunctivitis clear up independently. However, some cases may be particularly severe or uncomfortable, in which case it is best to consult with your ophthalmologist. If symptoms worsen over time and persist for prolonged periods, consult your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Conjunctivitis FAQs

Q: How do you get pink eye?

A: Pink eye can result from a bacterial infection, a viral infection, or an allergic reaction.

Q: Who should I see if I think I have conjunctivitis?

A: If you think you may be suffering from conjunctivitis, consult an experienced ophthalmologist.

Q: How long will my recovery from pink eye last?

A: The ocular and cold or flu-like symptoms that accompany pink eye often dissipate over the course of a few days. If symptoms of pink eye persist longer than this, contact your eye doctor immediately.