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pink eye symptoms: do you know the signs?

thankfully, as long as it is recognized and treated effectively, pink eye shouldn't damage the patient's vision.

conjunctivitis , more commonly known as pink eye, refers to an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear tissue covering the inner eyelid and the white part of the eye. if this tissue becomes irritated, according to the canadian association of optometrists , blood vessels in the eye begin to dilate and produce the red or pinkish hue that gives the condition its colourful name.

pink eye is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection that can affect people of all ages, even babies (although, in babies these symptoms can also arise from a blocked tear duct). common allergens, such as pollen or dust, can also cause the condition to occur in both eyes at the same time in certain, susceptible individuals.
pink eye is highly contagious but rarely serious and extremely unlikely to cause damage to a person’s vision unless symptoms are severe and treatment is ignored.

symptoms of pink eye

if you experience any symptoms that cause pain or vision issues in either eye, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
if you wear contacts and aren’t sure if you have pink eye, it’s a good idea to refrain for using them for a day or two. if symptoms persist, you should make an appointment with an eye doctor. symptoms of conjunctivitis can include:
  • pink discoloration in the whites of the eyes
  • sensitivity to light
  • swollen eyelid(s)
  • excessive tearing
  • discharge from the eye (can be sticky and yellow, watery or stringy)
  • tearing

diagnosing pink eye

according to the mayo clinic , a doctor can usually diagnose conjunctivitis by inquiring about a patient’s symptoms and recent health history. a physical visit to the office is often unnecessary, making telehealth a good option for patients who may not be able to easily travel to seek medical attention.

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in rare (and usually severe) cases, a doctor may need to take a sample of the liquid that drains from the eye to get more information about the nature of the infection from a lab.

treating pink eye

treatment for conjunctivitis depends upon the specific type of infection. if it is bacterial conjunctivitis, it will likely be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed by an eye doctor. if it is viral conjunctivitis — as most cases of pink eye are — it won’t respond to antibiotics and must be given time to run its course. this usually takes around two weeks, during which time symptoms will slowly begin to fade on their own. if a patient has allergic conjunctivitis, a doctor will likely recommend antihistamines or special eyedrops that contain anti-inflammatory medication that will alleviate symptoms and shorten the length of infection or prevent it altogether if used early enough.

preventing pink eye

the best way to prevent pink eye is by practising good hygiene. this includes:
  • not touching your eyes with your hands
  • washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with warm water and soap
  • using clean towels and washcloths daily and not sharing them
  • changing pillowcases regularly
  • not sharing eye makeup (and throwing away eye makeup if an infection occurs)

prevalence of pink eye

the rate of conjunctivitis is difficult to quantify in canada but research shows that approximately one per cent of annual trips to primary care in the u.s. — or six million visits — relate to pink eye.

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support for pink eye

for more information about conjunctivitis, including tips to prevent an unpleasant and unnecessary infection, visit the canadian association of optometrists .

dave yasvinski is a writer with  healthing.ca

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