Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
By Judith Lee
and Gretchyn Bailey;
reviewed by Dr. Vance Thompson
See also:
Pink eye is the most obvious symptom of conjunctivitis, which involves inflammation of the clear membrane
covering the white part of the eye and interior lining of the eyelids. Pink eye can refer to all types of conjunctivitis,
or just to its contagious forms.
Pink Eye Symptoms and Signs
The pink or red color of an infected or irritated eye is due to inflammation. Conjunctivitis may also cause your eye to hurt or itch.
How can you tell what type of pink eye you have? The way your eyes feel will provide some clues:
- Viral conjunctivitis usually affects only one eye and causes excessive eye watering and a light discharge.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes a heavy discharge, sometimes greenish.
- Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes itching and redness in the eyes and sometimes the nose,
as well as excessive tearing.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) usually affects both eyes and causes contact lens intolerance,
itching, a heavy discharge, tearing and red bumps on the underside of the eyelids.
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Conjunctival inflammation gives the eye a reddish tinge commonly known as pink eye. | |
[Read more about types of conjunctivitis.]
To pinpoint the cause and then choose an appropriate treatment, your eye doctor will ask some questions,
examine your eyes and possibly collect a sample on a swab to send out for analysis. Give a careful account of the
episode, because often your answers alone will reveal the diagnosis.
What Causes Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?
Pink eye may be triggered by a virus, bacteria, an allergic reaction (to dust, pollen, smoke, fumes or chemicals)
or, in the case of giant papillary conjunctivitis, a foreign body on the eye, typically a contact lens. Bacterial and viral
infections elsewhere in the body may also may induce conjunctivitis.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Treatment
Avoidance. Your first line of defense is to avoid the cause of conjunctivitis, such as contaminated hand towels.
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, which can be caused by airborne sources, spread easily to others.
[Read more about how to prevent contagious
pinkeye and re-infection.]
To avoid allergic conjunctivitis, keep windows and doors closed on days when the airborne pollen count is high.
Dust and vacuum frequently to eliminate potential allergens in the home.
Stay in well-ventilated areas if
you're exposed to smoke, chemicals or fumes. If you do experience exposure to these substances, cold compresses
can be very soothing.
If you've developed giant papillary conjunctivitis, odds are that you're a contact lens wearer. You'll need to stop
wearing your contact lenses, at least for a little while. Your eye doctor may also recommend that you switch to a
different type of contact lens, to reduce the chance of the conjunctivitis coming back.
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