Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
What is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) ?
Pink eye is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. This membrane is called the conjunctiva. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen and irritated, they’re more visible. This is what causes the whites of the eyes to appear reddish or pink. Pink eye is also called conjunctivitis.
Pink eye is most often caused by a viral infection. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction, or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct. Though pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye. Because pink eye can be contagious, getting an early diagnosis and taking certain precautions can help limit its spread.
Symptoms
- Redness in one or both eyes
- Itchiness in one or both eyes
- A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
- A discharge in one or both eyes
- Tearing
- Sensitivity to light, called photophobia
- Blurred vision
- Burning eyes
- Dry eyes
- Swollen eyelids
Cause
Causes of pink eye include Viruses, Bacteria, and Allergies. A chemical splash in the eye. A foreign object in the eye. In newborns, a blocked tear duct. Most cases of pink eye are caused by adenovirus. It can also be caused by other viruses, including herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can occur along with colds or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a sore throat. Wearing contact lenses that aren’t cleaned properly or aren’t your own can cause bacterial conjunctivitis. Both types are very contagious. They are spread through direct or indirect contact with the liquid that drains from the eye of someone who’s infected. One or both eyes may be affected. Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes. It is a response to an allergy-causing substance such as pollen. In response to allergens, your body produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE triggers special cells in the mucous lining of your eyes and airways to release inflammatory substances, including histamines. Your body’s release of histamine can produce several allergy symptoms, including red or pink eyes. If you have allergic conjunctivitis, you may experience intense itching, tearing, and inflammation of the eyes. You could also have sneezing and watery nasal discharge. Most allergic conjunctivitis can be controlled with allergy eye drops. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Irritation from a chemical splash or foreign object in the eye is also associated with conjunctivitis. Sometimes flushing and cleaning the eye to wash out the chemical or object causes redness and irritation. Symptoms, which may include watery eyes and a mucous discharge, usually clear up on their own within about a day. If flushing doesn’t resolve the symptoms, or if the chemical is a caustic one such as lye, see your healthcare professional or eye specialist as soon as possible. A chemical splash into the eye can cause permanent eye damage. Ongoing symptoms could indicate that you still have the foreign body in your eye. Or you could also have a scratch on the cornea or the membrane covering the eyeball, called the conjunctiva.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for pink eye include exposure to someone infected with the viral or bacterial form of conjunctivitis. Exposure to something you’re allergic to, for allergic conjunctivitis. Using contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses.
When to see a Doctor
There are serious eye conditions that can cause eye redness. These conditions may cause eye pain, a feeling that something is stuck in your eye, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. If you experience these symptoms, seek urgent care. People who wear contact lenses need to stop wearing their contacts as soon as pink eye symptoms begin. If your symptoms don’t start to get better within 12 to 24 hours, make an appointment with your eye healthcare professional to make sure you don’t have a more serious eye infection related to contact lens use.