What is Pink eye?
This is also known as conjunctivitis and is an inflammation/infection of the clear membrane that lines the eyelid and part of the eyeball. This inflammation will cause the blood vessels that are small in the conjunctive to become more noticeable, causing the pink look to the whites of the eyes.
Pink Eye Causes
The causes of pink eye or conjunctivitis include:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Foreign objects in the eye
- Chemical splashes in the eye
- Allergies
- With newborns – a blocked tear duct
Virus and bacteria
This can affect either one (1) or both eyes. Viral pink eye normally creates a watery drainage. Pink eye caused by bacteria often creates drainage that is thicker and is green-yellow in color. Both viral and bacterial pink eye might be related to a cold or linked with the symptoms/signs of a respiratory infection, for example a sore throat.
Both types are enormously contagious. Children as well as adults both can develop any of these types of pink eye. However, pink eye that is bacterial in nature is most common in children than in adults.
Allergic
This pink eye caused by allergies upsets both eyes and is the body’s reaction to an allergy-creating substance for example pollen. In reacting to allergens, an antibody denoted as immunoglobulin E (IgE) is produced. This antibody activates cells referred to as “mast” cells in the eye lining and airways to discharge inflammatory substances, such as histamines. This release of histamine produces numerous signs and symptoms of allergies, including pink eye.
Allergic pink eye can cause:
- Intense itching
- Tearing of the eye
- Inflammation of the eye
- Sneezing
- Watery discharge nasally
Pink eye from irritation
Any irritation from a foreign object or chemical splash in the eye can cause pink eye. Usually cleaning/flushing the eye and getting rid of the object or the chemical that is causing the irritation also contributes to the redness. Watery eyes as well as a discharge of mucous, normally clears up on its own usually in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
Risk factors for developing pink eye include:
- For allergic pink eye – exposure to an allergen
- For viral or bacterial pink eye – exposure to another individual infected
- Contact lenses use, particularly extended-wear lenses
With both adults as well as children, any pink eye may cause inflammation in the cornea that can also affect the vision. This is why it is strongly advised to seek rapid evaluation as well as treatment by a primary care physician or eye specialist in order to reduce any risk of complications that could affect a person’s eyesight.
Pink Eye Treatment
Bacterial
When the pink eye is bacterial in nature, the physician might prescribe eyedrops that are antibiotic. This makes the infection go away in several days. Eye ointment that is antibiotic can also be prescribed especially in treating pink eye that is bacterial in children. This is usually much easier to manage in children and especially infants. When using any type of antibiotics, it is extremely important to follow the physician’s treatment plan and continue using the antibiotic until the prescription is finished. This will stop the infection from recurring.
Viral
No treatment is needed in the majority of cases of pink eye caused by a virus. The virus just needs to run its course – normally two (2) to three (3) weeks. With pink eye caused by a virus, it normally begins in one eye and then infects the other eye in a couple of days. Symptoms will generally clear up alone.
Antiviral medications might be an option if the primary care physician diagnoses the viral infection as “herpes simplex virus”.
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Allergic
With pink eye caused by allergies, the primary care physician will often prescribe one of numerous eyedrop types for those people with allergies. These might include:
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Stabilizers for mast cells
- Steroids
- Anti-inflammatory drops
An individual also can lessen the harshness of allergic pink eye by evading the causes of his/her allergies if possible.
To help with symptoms of pink eye until it goes away or heals, try the following:
Apply a compress to the eyes
A compress can be made by soaking a clean and lint-free washcloth in water, wring it out and then applying the compress gently to closed eyelids. A compress that is cool is very helpful in relieving pink eye caused by allergies. Bacterial or viral pinkeye are soothed most with a compress is warm. Remember if you only have one eye that is infected, don’t touch both eyes with the identical compress. This will prevent spreading from one eye to another.
Try eyedrops
Many over-the-counter eye-drops such as “artificial tears” can help soothe any discomfort. Some of the eyedrops has antihistamines or other medication which can help individuals with allergies.
Don’t wear contacts
When an individual wears contacts, they should be not worn until the eyes are healed or feel better. In some cases, (bacterial or virus pink eye) an individual needs to throw away disposable contacts, cleaning solutions and also the lens case. If the lenses are not disposable, they need to be thoroughly cleaned before using them again.
Good hygiene should be practiced so as to control the spread of pink eye by the following:
- Use a clean washcloth and towel daily
- No touching of the eyes with hands
- No sharing of washcloths or towels
- Wash hands often
- Often change pillowcases
- No sharing of eye cosmetics or personal eye-care items
- Throw away eye cosmetics, such as mascara
Even if symptoms go away in three (3) or four (4) days, children with viral pink eye can continue to be contagious for seven (7) days or more. Children usually may return to school when there is no longer any tearing or matted eyes.
When the child has pink eye caused by bacteria, keep the child home from school until treatment is begun. The majority of child care centers and schools advise the child wait at least one full day after beginning treatment before going back to school or child care.
Newborns’ eyes are more vulnerable to bacteria present in the birth canal of the mother. These are bacteria that cause no problems in the mother but in rare cases infants can develop a form of pink eye that is serious and is known as “ophthalmia neonatorum”, and needs immediate treatment to save eye sight. This is why shortly after birth, every newborn’s eyes have antibiotic ointment applied to prevent this infection.
