Pink Eye Specialist

What is pink eye?

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it’s commonly known, is an inflammation of the thin, clear covering of your eye and inner eyelids — the conjunctiva. 

When the tiny blood vessels in your conjunctive become inflamed, they appear more visible in the white part of your eye. This is why your eye appears pink or red when you have conjunctivitis. 

What causes pink eye?

Pink eye is usually the result of a bacterial or viral infection, though it may also be an allergic reaction to something in the environment. Babies can get pink eye if their tear duct doesn’t open completely. 

Viral pink eye usually comes from the same virus that causes the common cold. Bacterial conjunctivitis may come from the same virus that causes strep throat. Both viral and bacterial pink eye is highly contagious, especially from:

• Direct contact with bodily fluids through hand-to-eye contact
• The spread of infection from your sinuses
• Dirty or poorly fitting contact lenses

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

Common symptoms of pink eye can affect one or both eyes and include:

• Redness and irritation
• Itchy, gritty feeling
• Discharge from the eyes that creates a crust overnight and prevents you from opening your eye in the morning
• Excessive tearing
• Burning feeling
• Puffy eyelids
• Blurry vision

If you have discharge that causes your eyelashes to stick together and prevents you from opening your eyes, visit Eye Care & Surgery for an exam because you may need antibiotics to treat the infection. Antibiotics only treat bacterial pink eye, but they don’t help viral or allergic pink eye. 

What treatments alleviate pink eye symptoms and infection?

Your treatment depends on the underlying cause of your pink eye. Once your doctor determines whether your pink eye is bacterial, viral, or allergic, they prescribe medications, eye drops, or home remedies, such as placing a cool, wet washcloth on your eyes, to alleviate symptoms. 

If you wear contacts, you should stop wearing them until your eye clears up. 

If you or your child has pink eye that doesn’t go away on its own after a couple of days, it’s a good idea to make an appointment at Eye Care & Surgery. The caring doctors treat both children and adults for this common eye ailment. Call to schedule or use the online booking tool.

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