Conjunctivitis, often referred to as pink eyes, is a kind of inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin and transparent layer of tissue) found in the white part of the eye and lines the eyelids. Pink eye meaning Conjunctivitis.
Pink eyes can be caused due to either
- Bacterial or Viral infection
- Due to any reaction to eye allergens entering the eye.
Pink Eyes Symptoms
The following symptoms are the most common symptoms of Pink Eyes
- Redness of the eyes and irritation
- Pus discharge along with crusting of eyelids and eyelashes
- Excessive tears
- A feeling of the existence of foreign particle present in the eyes
- Burning sensation
- Swollen eyelids
- Photophobia or unable to tolerate sunlight
In most cases, it is found that the symptoms develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected and last from two days to three weeks.
Causes of Pink Eyes
As mentioned earlier, Conjunctivitis may be caused by bacteria, viruses or allergens. It is observed that bacterial and viral Conjunctivitis are contagious, but the ones caused by allergens aren’t.
- Viral Conjunctivitisis the most common type of Conjunctivitis and is very contagious. It generally has symptoms like red eyes, burning sensation and watery discharge. It may also cause a runny nose and sore throat at times.
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis is contagious too and causes the eyes to turn pink. In this type of Conjunctivitis, the most common symptoms are sore and red eyes with sticky pus-like discharge from the eyes.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis is caused by allergic reactions from allergens like smoke, animals, pollen, car fumes, chemicals etc. It is not contagious and does not last as long as the other two types of Conjunctivitis. It usually leads to itchy, red eyes with puffy eyelids.
How to Diagnosis Pink Eyes?
Typically, it is easy to detect pink eyes, and doctors can diagnose it by simple eye check-ups or asking certain questions. For instance, it is easy to detect Conjunctivitis if the patient complains of sore/ redness in eyes with watery or thick discharge or complains of sore throat or runny nose.
Treatment for Pink Eyes
The treatment of Conjunctivitis depends on the type of Conjunctivitis.
- For bacterial infections, usually, antibiotics are the preferred method of treatment. Generally, ointments or eye drops are prescribed to patients. The use of antibiotic medications helps in reducing the infection within a span of a few days.
- In the case of viral infection, treatment is not really available. Just like the common cold, there isn’t any cure for this type of viral infection. It generally reduces after a span of 7 to 10 days after the virus loses its strength. Home remedies like warm compress or wet clothes with warm compress can help to ease the symptoms.
- If allergies cause Conjunctivitis, doctors largely prescribe medications like antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops to stop the inflammation. These medicines help to clear off allergic symptoms.
- Conjunctivitis usually reduces on its own within 1–2 weeks. In case the symptoms persist more than that, it is advisable to visit the ophthalmologist so as to diagnose if any other serious eye problems are present or not.
Pink Eye in Babies / Kids / Toddlers / Infants
Conjunctivitis can affect kids of any age too. Even newborn babies may have neonatal Conjunctivitis. However, kids do not strictly maintain hygiene and tend to rub their eyes and transmit infections to other children. Sometimes, allergies or eye irritants can cause pink eyes too.
Parents and caretakers of kids with pink eyes should consider that they are contagious and keep them at home, away from schools. Practitioners may also advise that kids stay home until their pink eye symptoms have resolved. The treatment of kids is also the same as that of adults depending on the intensity of the pink eye disease.
How to Prevent Pink Eyes (Conjunctivitis)?
Conjunctivitis is a very common eye ailment. This can be avoided if certain practices are followed regularly.
- Maintaining proper eye hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid getting pink eyes. It’s best to try and avoid touching the eyes with bare and unclean hands. Washing the hands thoroughly before touching the eyes is a good hygienic practice. The use of clean tissues and towels to wipe your face and eyes can be another good option.
- Sharing cosmetics like eyeliner or eye mascara should be avoided as much as possible. Also, sharing personal things like face towels, washing clothes, etc., should avoid germs.
- Checking with an ophthalmologist if contact lenses are a reason for the pink eyes. If a particular type of lens contributes to the problems, it should be replaced or switched with proper advice. Also, regular cleaning of contact lenses should be done. It may even be advisable to discontinue the usage of contact lenses till the pink eye issue gets resolved. Sometimes decorative contact lenses or poorly fitted contact lenses may also lead to Conjunctivitis.
- In the case of kids, it is better to keep them out of school till they are fully cured of their pink eye symptoms so that they do not transmit the same to others.
