Conjunctivitis (better known as “pink eye”) is a common type of eye infection that leads to redness and inflammation. Depending on the underlying cause, this condition doesn’t always cause discomfort, but it can still lead to complications if left untreated.
Wondering if your eye symptoms are related to pink eye? Read on to learn more about conjunctivitis:
How Do I Know I Have Pink Eye?
One of the tell-tale signs of conjunctivitis is the reddening of the conjunctiva, which is a clear membrane that covers the surface of your eyes. When the conjunctiva becomes inflamed and infected the blood vessels underneath your eye dilate, making your eye appear “pink.”
Other symptoms of conjunctivitis can include itchiness and clear to yellow discharge from the eye. You may feel the constant need to rub your eye, although the overall discomfort is usually mild.
How to Treat Conjunctivitis
The exact treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause. Viral pink eye—the most common type of conjunctivitis—can’t be treated with medicine, so it will go away on its own. Bacterial pink eye, however, requires prescription eye drops.
Conjunctivitis usually clears up within a few days. However, the symptoms of pink eye are sometimes similar to other eye conditions, such as allergies and infections. It’s important to see us to rule out more serious eye conditions that might be mistaken for conjunctivitis.
In the meantime, you’ll want to prevent spreading this highly contagious eye infection. Avoid touching your eyes and don’t share items like towels and bed linens. You may also consider staying home from school or work until the infection heals.
If you feel you may be experiencing pink eye, call us today to see our highly-skilled team of experts and get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
