Introduction
Conjunctivitis, known as pink eye, occurs when the conjunctiva (the white part of the eyeball and inner eyelid) is irritated by an infection or allergies. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can b caused by several different types of viruses and bacteria. It can occur with colds or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a sore throat.
Wearing contact lenses that aren’t cleaned properly, or aren’t your own, can cause bacterial conjunctivitis. People often refer to conjunctivitis as a red eye. Other symptoms of conjunctivitis include itchiness and watering of the eyes, and something like a sticky coating on the eyelashes (if it’s caused by an allergy). Conjunctivitis can affect the eye first but usually affects both eyes after a few hours.
- Definition of Conjunctivitis
- Types of this Disease
- How does Conjunctivitis Spread?
- A Contagious form of Pink Eye
- Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
- Treatment of Conjunctivitis
1. Definition of Conjunctivitis
Pink eye ( conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane ( conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they are not more visible.
When you have pink eye, blood vessels in your conjunctivitis become inflamed this gives the eye the color pink or red that’s commonly associated with conjunctivitis.
2. Types of this Disease
There are some types of conjunctivitis:
- Viral Conjunctivitis
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis
- Allergic Conjunctivitis
Viral Conjunctivitis:
It is the most common type of conjunctivitis. This type of pink eye is very contagious and often spread through schools and other crowded places. It usually causes burning, and red eyes with a watery discharge. Viral conjunctivitis is usually caused by the same virus that causes a running nose and sore throat in people with the common cold.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis:
It is also very contagious. An infection from bacteria causes this form of pink eyes. With bacterial Conjunctivitis, you have sore, red eyes with a lot of sticky pus in the eyes. Some bacterial infections, however, may cause little or no discharge. Sometimes the bacteria that cause pink eye are the same that cause strep throat.
Allergic Conjunctivitis:
It is a type of pink eye that comes from an allergic reaction to pollen, animals, cigarettes smoke, pool chlorine, car fumes, or something else in the environment. It is not contagious. The allergic pink eye makes your eyes very itchy, red, and watery, and the eyelid may get puffy.
3. How does Conjunctivitis Spread?
It also known as pink eye occurs when the conjunctiva ( the white part of the eyeball and the inner eyelid) is irritated by an infection or allergies. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be caused by several different types of viruses and bacteria.
Conjunctivitis is most often spread through direct contact with the eye by hands or objects that are contaminated with bacteria or viruses. It can also spread via respiratory tract droplets. Allergic Conjunctivitis is not contagious.
4. A Contagious form of Pink Eye
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be quite contagious.
The most common ways to get the contagious form of pink eye include:
- Direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, usually through hand-to-eye contact.
- Spread of the infection by the bacteria living in the person’s own nose and sinuses.
- Not cleaning contact lenses properly. Using poorly fitting contact lenses or decorative contacts is a risk as well.
Children are the people most likely to get pink eye from bacteria and viruses. This is because they are in close contact with so many others in schools or daycare centers. Also, they do not practice good hygiene.
5. Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
Different types of pink eyes can come with slightly different symptoms, but in general, it’s important to talk with a doctor if you experience them.
- Pink or red-toned eyes
- A gritty feeling in your eyes
- Watery or thick discharge that builds up on your eyes at night
- Itchiness in your eyes
- Abnormal amount of tears
- The feeling that something in your eyes, or a gritty sensation in your eyes
- Red eyes
- Burning eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Painful eyes
- Watery eyes
- Puffy eyes
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Being extra sensitive to light
- Lots of mucus, pus, or thick yellow discharge from your eye there can be so much that your eyelashes stick together
6. Treatment of Conjunctivitis
Treating your pink eye usually depends on the type of conjunctivitis you have:
- If your conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection, there are no specific treatments. Your body flies the virus on its own. Placing cool, wet washcloths on your eyes can help make them feel more comfortable.
- If your pink eye is caused by the bacterial virus, your ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotics and eye drops, depending on how severe your symptoms are. Antibiotics do not treat an infection caused by the virus and allergies.
- If your conjunctivitis is due to allergies, you were told to use certain eyes drops to help with the itchiness and puffiness
- Sometimes it can be caused by chemicals or other substances in your eyes. In this case, Rinse the eye free of substances. You might b told to use drops or ointment for eyes.
