Conjunctivitis, known colloquially as “pink eye,” is an infection of the eye or eyes which can lead to redness, itching, irritation, and a characteristic creamy discharge in some cases. For the most part, pink eye is merely irritating, not threatening, although a doctor should be seen to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, a doctor may offer prescription medication to assist with the problem. Avoiding pink eye in the first place, of course, is preferable.
Pink eye starts with an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane which covers the white of the eye and part of the eyelid. As the conjunctiva becomes more inflamed and irritated, it starts to get infected, causing the veins in the eye to turn red and irritated. If the infection is allowed to continue, the eye may start to form a discharge, and it can become very uncomfortable.
There are several potential causes for pink eye. Several bacterias and viruses can cause pink eye, and in this case the condition is infectious, so the patient should be careful about handling the eye and interacting with people. In this instance, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the problem. Foreign bodies in the eye can also cause itchy eyes and irritation which may lead to pink eye, and some allergies can manifest themselves as pink eye as well. Removing the foreign body and figuring out the cause of the allergy are important in these types of pink eye.
Especially in children, pink eye is very common. There are a few steps which can be taken to avoid the condition. The first is to make sure that people always wash their hands before touching their eyes and face, and to do the same when handling other peoples faces. Keeping the face and eyes clean is also important, as is avoiding allergens which have been known to cause pink eye in the past. These basic steps are also good for general health and hygiene. In addition, people should avoid sharing things like washcloths and eye cups, which may carry traces of infectious material which could cause pink eye.
The symptoms of infective conjunctivitis normally begin in one eye. After one to two days, the other eye often becomes affected too, although the first eye may be slightly worse.
The symptoms of infective conjunctivitis can vary from person to person, but may include:
Red eyes: this happens as a result of the irritation and widening of the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva (the thin layer of cells inside the eyelids and over the white part of the eyes).
Watering eyes: the conjunctiva contains thousands of cells that produce mucus and tiny glands that produce tears. Irritation causes the glands to become overactive, so that they water more than usual.
Sticky coating on the eyelashes: you are more likely to notice this when you first wake in the morning. Your eyelids may feel like they are stuck together because the mucus and pus that is produced by the infection forms into sticky clumps on your lashes.
Slight soreness: this usually feels like burning or as if there is grit in your eyes.
Enlarged lymph node in front of the ear: a lymph node is a small gland that is part of the immune system (the body’s defence system). It helps protect the body from infection and may feel like a raised bump underneath the skin.
If you have infective conjunctivitis, you may also have the symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. An upper respiratory tract infection is an infection that affects your throat, mouth or nose. Symptoms may include:
coughing
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F)
sore throat
headache
aching limbs
Neonatal conjunctivitis
Many newborn babies may have what is known as a 'sticky eye'. This usually occurs when the tear duct cannot drain properly. If it cannot drain, it produces a discharge of pus, which can look similar to infective conjunctivitis. However, this condition is not serious and does not require urgent treatment.
If your baby also has redness in their eye, it may be a sign that the eye is infected and they may have infective conjunctivitis. If your baby is up to 28 days old, this could develop into a serious infection that may affect your baby’s vision.
Contact your GP straight away for advice if you think your baby may have infective conjunctivitis.
Home treatment for pink eye should not be a substitute for seeking the advice of a health-care practitioner, and it is important to take all medications as prescribed and to follow your health-care practitioner's instructions for managing your condition. However, there are steps you can take at home to help relieve the symptoms of pink eye. Moist warm compresses applied to the eyes can help relieve symptoms. Over-the-counter artificial tears (eyedrops) can also bring relief.
You should not wear contact lenses until the pink eye has resolved. Your health-care practitioner can offer guidance about when it is safe to resume the use of contact lenses.
Infectious forms of pink eye are highly contagious and are spread by direct contact with infected people. If you or your child has infectious pink eye, avoid touching the eye area and wash your hands frequently, particularly after applying medications to the eye area. Never share towels or handkerchiefs, and throw away tissues after each use. Disinfecting surfaces like countertops, sinks, and doorknobs can also help prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.