Conjunctivitis

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjuntivitis, commonly called pink eye, is the inflammation of the transparent membrane in your eye that lines the eyeball and its lid. It appears when tiny blood vessels within the eye get irritated, swollen, and become more visible. Pink eye is often caused by a viral infection, but it can also appear because of a bacterial infection or allergic reaction. 

Treating pink eye is vital to ease any discomfort and avoid spreading conjunctivitis viruses or bacteria to other people.

Which symptoms can conjunctivitis cause?

Conjunctivitis is characterized by:

• Eye redness
• Itchiness
• Discharge in one or both eyes
• Crusting in the eyes due to discharge
• Gritty feeling in the eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Eye pain
• Blurry vision
• Tearing

Your symptoms may be mild and become more severe over time if left untreated. 

What increases the risk of conjunctivitis?

Common causes and risk factors for pink eye include:

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Allergies
• Foreign object in the eye
• Chemical substances splashed in the eye
• Blocked tear ducts in newborns
• Wearing dirty contact lenses

Many cases of conjunctivitis are caused by adenovirus, varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, or other viruses. They may appear along with a cold, a sore throat, or other symptoms of a respiratory condition. 

Pink eye is spread from person to person after they touch their eyes or wear dirty contact lenses. Reduce the risk of contracting conjunctivitis by washing your hands frequently and not touching your eyes with your fingers. 

How is conjunctivitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing conjunctivitis involves a discussion about your symptoms, a review of your medical history, and an examination of your eye. Your Doctor's Own Urgent Care provider might also take a sample of liquid draining from the affected eye to use for a laboratory analysis. 

How is conjunctivitis treated?

Treating conjunctivitis often consists of reducing bothersome symptoms and clearing up the infection. Your personalized pink eye treatment plan may include:

• Cleaning the eyelids with a wet cloth
• Using artificial tears
• Applying a warm or cold compress to your eyes
• Not wearing contact lenses during healing
• Antibiotic eye drops
• Allergy medications

Follow up with the Doctor's Own Urgent Care staff to ensure effective treatment and call the office at any time with questions. Avoid touching your eyes during and after treatment to reduce the risk of future bouts of pink eye.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth pink eye evaluation at Doctor's Own Urgent Care by phone or online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.