Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is one of the prevalent eye conditions in clinical practice. While generally not severe, the condition can cause substantial discomfort and inconvenience. Ready to cover the many aspects of pink eye? From symptoms, types, causes, and risk factors to available treatment options, we will talk about everything in this article. Read on.
What Is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is a common inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. The condition gets the name "pink eye" due to how it presents, giving the eye a pink or reddish appearance.
With pink eye, one or both eyes may become red and swollen or/and produce a sticky discharge. People of any age can contract and suffer from conjunctivitis. The most common causes are viruses, eye infections, chemical exposure, and allergies.
How Is Pink Eye Spread?
Different types of conjunctivitis spread with differing intensities.
Direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, for example, through hand-to-eye contact, is the easiest way to spread viral and bacterial pink eye. Spread of bacteria present in the person’s nose and sinuses is also a risk. Especially, if the infected person sneezes near others.
Not cleaning lenses properly or using poorly fitting lenses is also a way to spread eye infections. The same goes for sharing cosmetics, beauty products, and makeup tools.
Types of Conjunctivitis
There are different types of conjunctivitis inflammation, depending on the cause:
1. Viral Conjunctivitis
Highly Contagious
Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of pink eye. The predominant cause is adenoviruses. Other viruses like herpes simplex can also trigger the viral pink eye condition.
The highly contagious condition often spreads through schools and crowded places. The infection happens through direct or indirect contact with the infected person’s tears, eye discharge, or respiratory droplets.
Recognize viral conjunctivitis by the symptoms:
Redness
Burning sensation
Itching
Watery discharge
The condition often starts in one eye and may spread to the other.
Viral conjunctivitis is self-limiting and tends to resolve within 1-2 weeks. So in most instances, no specific antiviral treatment is required. The best form of symptom management is artificial tears and good hygiene practices.
2. Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Highly Contagious
A bacterial infection causes this widespread form of pink eye. The culprit is usually bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenza.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious, and commonly contracted due to poor hygiene, wearing dirty lenses, or contact with contaminated hands or objects.
Some of the symptoms of bacterial pink eye include:
Sore eyes
Redness
Thick yellow-green discharge
Crusting of the eyelids
Some bacterial infections may cause little or no discharge. They often affect both eyes.
Antibiotic eye drops and ointments can reduce symptoms and limit the spread of conjunctivitis. Antibiotics are effective in shortening the duration of the infection and preventing complications. Please, only use topical treatments with a prescription from an eye doctor.
3. Allergic Conjunctivitis
Not Contagious
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs due to an allergic reaction. Common triggers are allergens - pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, smoke, or environmental factors.
People can't get allergic pink eye from other individuals with the condition. The inflammation process depends solely on the person's sensitivities.
The allergic conjunctivitis symptoms to look out for are:
Itching
Redness
Tearing
Swelling
Puffy eyelids
Allergic conjunctivitis may occur along with other allergy signs like sneezing and runny nose.
As for treatments, antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops work wonders. Avoiding allergens and using artificial tears to flush out irritants also helps keep the condition under control.
4. Chemical Conjunctivitis (Toxic Conjunctivitis)
Not Contagious
The cause of toxic conjunctivitis is exposure to chemical substances. The common irritants are chlorine in swimming pools, smoke, and fumes.
Since the cause of inflammation is not a virus or bacteria, this type of pink eye is not contagious.
Symptoms of chemical conjunctivitis:
Redness
Tearing
Stinging sensation
Itching
Swelling of the eyelids
Depending on the severity, there may be discomfort or pain in the affected eye(s). A clear or watery discharge may occur, but it is usually not purulent (pus-filled).
The adequate treatment is immediate flushing of the eyes with saline or water. Then avoid further exposure to the irritants. People with chemical conjunctivitis may need medical treatment for severe cases.
Conjunctivitis Diagnosis
Diagnosis of conjunctivitis is clinical, based on the patient’s history and symptoms.
An eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist may include:
Visual Acuity Test
Slit-lamp Examination
Swab of Discharge for Lab Testing (if a bacterial infection is suspected or symptoms are severe)
Conjunctivitis Prevention Tips
Avoid touching your eyes without washing your hands
Don't share items like makeup, beauty tools, pillows, or towels
Practice proper hygiene and lens care, if you wear contact lenses
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience new, severe, or persistent symptoms.
Pink eye can resolve without complications, but early intervention is essential.
In summary...
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye conditions you can deal with. If you ever experience the discomfort and symptoms of either type of conjunctivitis, seek medical advice from a professional for diagnosis and to find the right treatment.
Resources:
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis), Mayo Clinic
Conjunctivitis, CDC
Checked by Atanas Bogoev, MD.