Pink eye can affect both kids and adults and may
require treatment by an eye doctor. Learn more with this overview of the
causes, symptoms, and options for treatment of this eye condition.
What Causes Infectious Pink Eye?
When a virus or bacteria gets in your eye, your eye may
become infected. This might happen if you have a cough or cold and the germs
get in your eye. It's also common to get the eye condition from someone else
who has it. Pink eye spreads easily from person to person.
If you or someone in your family has the condition, make
handwashing a top priority so the pink eye doesn't spread throughout your
family. Avoid touching things the infected person uses or touches unless you
wash your hands afterward, and avoid touching your eyes as much as possible to
prevent the spread of pink eye.
What Symptoms Might You Have?
The eye infection can be mild or severe. Severe infections
might make your eye sore or painful. Your eye may also itch and be
uncomfortable. Discharge is common too, and you might wake up with dried and
crusty discharge around your eye.
Your eye will usually be red or pink, which is why the
condition is called pink eye. You might be sensitive to light, and your eyelids
may become swollen. Your eyes may also feel gritty or feel like you have
something stuck in your eye.
When Should You Seek Medical Treatment?
Pink eye doesn't always need to be treated by an eye
doctor. You might try home treatments first, such as using eye drops you buy
over the counter. You might also try placing a warm, moist cloth over your eye
frequently to relieve discomfort. If you have an immune condition, have eye
pain, a lot of discharge, or severe redness, consider seeing an eye doctor for
treatment.
Also, seeing an eye doctor is a good idea if you aren't
certain you have pink eye since a bloodshot eye might be a symptom of another
eye condition that could be more serious. If you wear contact lenses, see your
eye doctor in case the lenses are the source of your eye condition.
In addition, pink eye can be serious for newborns, so get
medical advice if you have a newborn baby with signs of pink eye.
What Types of Treatments Help?
Your eye doctor determines the cause of your condition
first so they can choose the right treatment. This is important since a viral
infection won't be helped with antibiotic drops. If your infection is due to
bacteria, your eye doctor might prescribe an antibiotic ointment to put in your
eyes or eye drops. Viral infections might be treated with eye drops that
provide lubrication or antiviral medications depending on the type of virus you
have.
Your eye doctor can also teach you how to manage your
condition. They may advise you to try lubricating eye drops but avoid
redness-clearing drops and to not rub your eyes. Pink eye might start in one
eye and spread to the other, and the doctor can tell you what to expect in the
coming days.
It may take several days for your condition to run its
course depending on the type of infection you have. The doctor may also give
you hygiene tips to follow so you don't spread the condition to others while
you're contagious.
If you think you have pink eye or if you have eye symptoms
that worry you, call Calvert
Ophthalmology Center. We provide examinations and can diagnose and treat a
variety of eye conditions, including pink eye.
