During the spring and summer seasons, you expect that your eyes will water a little as pollen levels increase. And if you live or work in an environment that has allergens in the air, you’re no stranger to having slightly pink or red eyes. In fact, this coloration might be normal for you if you suffer from allergies.
But if that unsightly pink or red color doesn’t go away, you may wonder if something else has caused this effect. If the coloring is accompanied by itching and a few other symptoms, you may even start to worry that you’ve developed a serious eye issue. More than likely, however, you’ve contracted a case of conjunctivitis—commonly known as pink eye.
Below, we’ll discuss pink eye in depth. We’ll let you know what this condition is, what its causes and symptoms are, and if it poses any long-term risks to your ocular health.
The Basics
Pink eye is a common condition in both children and adults. It can spread fairly quickly and can make your eyes feel incredibly irritated. Simply put, pink eye is an infection or inflammation in your eye’s conjunctiva. This thin, transparent membrane covers the white portion of your eyeball and the inside of your eyelids. Small blood vessels rest in the conjunctiva as well.
This membrane is important to proper eye function. The conjunctiva produces tears and mucus to lubricate your eyes, keeping them moist and allowing you to see properly. The conjunctiva also protects your eye from microbe- and foreign-object-induced damage.
When this membrane becomes exposed to bacteria, dirt, debris, and other irritants, the tears and mucus typically wash the debris away. However, the membrane can become so irritated that the blood vessels inflame and turn your eyes pink or red.
The Causes
Typically, a viral or bacterial infection causes pink eye. If you develop this version of pink eye, you’ll need to seek medical attention for treatment. If you have a viral form of conjunctivitis, you can easily spread it to another person.
Aside from a viral infection, several other factors can cause conjunctivitis. Other causes of pink eye include:
- Chemical exposure
- Allergies
- Fungi
- Parasites
- STIs
- Foreign objects
Certain diseases can also cause conjunctivitis. Additionally, newborn babies are at high risk for contracting conjunctivitis because they are exposed to bacteria as they pass through the birth canal. However, doctors must treat newborns immediately, otherwise the pink eye can severely damage the child’s eyesight.
The Symptoms
As previously mentioned, conjunctivitis causes your eyes to turn a bright pink or red color. However, the discoloration alone doesn’t usually indicate that you have conjunctivitis. If you do have the condition, you’ll manifest a few other symptoms, including:
- Itchy eyes
- Teary eyes
- Gritty feeling in your eyes
- Burning eyes
- Swelling
- Blurry vision
You may also experience an increased sensitivity to light if you have pink eye. Additionally, you may notice a green, white, or yellow discharge in the corners of your eyes. The green or white discharge will usually stay in the corners of your eyes and lead to excessive tearing.
However, the yellow discharge is thicker and will crust over your eyelashes. This symptom usually manifests in the evenings or early mornings during or after sleep.
The Treatment
If left untreated, viral pink eye can lead to more serious health risks. For example, the condition can cause your cornea to become inflamed, which in turn can affect your vision. If your cornea becomes scarred, you could suffer from more serious vision loss.
Fortunately, your optometrist can treat the condition fairly easily. Allergy-induced pink eye simply requires you to reduce your exposure to allergens. If you are unable to eliminate allergens (such as those found in outside air), an allergy pill such as Zyrtec could clear up your symptoms.
For bacterial conjunctivitis, your optometrist will likely prescribe antibiotics to eliminate your symptoms. Sometimes, your eye doctor may give you eye drops that contain a steroid to further lower your discomfort and help your eye heal.
Preventative Measures
To avoid developing conjunctivitis or contracting the condition again, take the following preventative steps:
- Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before you touch your eyes.
- Wash your bedding frequently and in hot water. You should also wash all towels and other linens immediately after an infection has cleared up.
- Wear contact lenses for the proper amount of time. Wearing contacts longer than the recommended time frame significantly increases your risk for developing pink eye.
- Never share makeup with another person.
If you manifest any of the symptoms of pink eye, see an eye doctor as soon as possible. He or she can prescribe you the appropriate antibiotic eye drops to clear the infection. Additionally, your eye doctor can provide you with additional tips to avoid contracting conjunctivitis again in the future.
To maintain good eye health throughout your life, you’ll also want to schedule regular eye appointments with your optometrist. During these visits, your eye doctor can see what eye conditions you are at risk for and provide you with effective treatment.