Conjunctivitis: Thing you should know about Pink eye

 

Pink eye is usually described as inflammation on the transparent membrane which lines the eyelid and eyeball. This transparent membrane is called the conjunctiva. When the tiny blood vessels of conjunctiva become swollen and irritated which might be more visible. This will cause the whites of the eyes to seem reddish or pink. Pink eye disease is also called conjunctivitis.

Usually, this pink eye infection is often caused by a viral infection. But this pink eye infection can also be caused by a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction to any allergens or in babies who causes an incompletely opened tear duct.

Even though pink eyes give irritation, it rarely affects your vision. Treatment will help you to ease the discomfort of pink eye infection. Because pink eye infections can be highly contagious, so if you get an early diagnosis, taking prompt precautions will help you to limit its spread of pink eye infection to others.

Types of Pinkeye

• Viral strains

• Bacterial strains

• Allergic types

• Ophthalmia neonatorum

• Giant papillary

Symptoms of pink eye

Pink eye symptoms vary which are usually based on the cause of the irritation or infection. 

Some common symptoms are:

• Pink or red colour in single or both eyes

• Gritty feel in single or both eyes

• Or else you may feel Itching, irritation and/or burning sensation in the eyes

• Clear, thin unwanted liquid and also it increased shedding of tears

• Sudden Stringy and/or thick, white or green colour discharge from the eyes

• In the mornings, eyelids that are matted together

• Severe Swelling of the eyelids

• More of Blurred vision

Causes of pink eye

Usually, Pink eye infection has various causes.

• Bacteria: Bacteria strains can be transferred to single or both eyes through physical contact, following poor hygiene or any use of contaminated or poisoned makeup or face cream or lotions.

• Viruses: Infection of this disease can also be caused by viruses which are associated with common cold, upper respiratory tract infection and in some rare cases herpes and sexually transmitted diseases.

• Chemicals: chemical strains of Facial or eye makeup, air pollution, chlorine in swimming pools or other toxic chemicals which can also cause irritation or inflammation in single or both eyes.

• Allergies/sensitivities: Eyes can also be caused by having adverse reactions to allergens or irritants such as pollen, mold, dust mites, cosmetics or contact lenses and its solutions.

Risk factors

Some of the risk factors of pink eye infection are:

• Getting exposure to someone infected with both viral or bacterial forms of conjunctivitis.

• Or any exposure to something that you are allergic to something which causes allergic conjunctivitis

• And Using contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses.

Complications

People like children and adults, pink eye infection causes inflammation in the cornea which can affect your vision. Immediate evaluation and treatment by your healthcare professionals will reduce the risk of complications. You should see your physician or specialist in this field  if you have any of these issues:

• Eye pain

• feeling of something is stuck in your single or both eyes

• Blurred vision

• Light sensitivity

Diagnosis

In this phase, your ophthalmologist or pediatrician will examine your eyes or your children's eyes. Your healthcare provider will usually diagnose the pink eye infection which is based on your symptoms and health history. Or else you may take an acuity test which is called an eye chart test that helps to check your vision.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• Any  viral or bacterial infection in recent times.

• Allergies

• anything irritating in your eye recently Irritants like chemicals or foreign objects.

• Been exposed to a STI.

• Family history of autoimmune disease or having other reasons to think that you have an autoimmune disease.

Treatment

If the pink eye is caused by a virus which usually flushed out without any treatment. If pink eye is caused by bacteria which can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or antibiotic ointment

It can be very hard to get childrens to tolerate eye drops many times a day. If you face trouble in putting eye drops on your kids, then put the drops on the inner corner of your child's closed eye. It automatically flows into your kids eyes when they open it. Still if you have trouble with drops you should ask the physician about antibiotic ointment which can be placed where the eyelids meet as a thin layer and it will melt and enter the eye.

If the adults or your children have allergic conjunctivitis, then your healthcare provider or specialists may prescribe you for anti-allergy medicine. It can be either as pills, liquid, or eye drops.

Or else they prescribe you acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve discomfort of pink eye.

Prevention

Prevent Conjunctivitis

• You must avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands whenever possible.

• You should wash your hands frequently, thoroughly with the helps of soap and water.

• You must use only clean tissues and clean towels to wipe your face and eyes.

• And you must try not to share your cosmetics products, particularly eyeliner or mascara, with others.

• You should wash pillow covers frequently.

If your healthcare provider thinks that your contact lenses play a major role in contributing to your pink eye, then they recommend you to switch to another type of contact lens or disinfectant solutions for lenses.

They also give suggestions to cleaning or replacing your contact lenses frequently or that you must stop wearing lenses for a long time.

You should avoid poorly fitted lenses and use of decorative contact lenses may decrease your risk of pink eye.

Preventing the spread of pink eye

You should Practice good hygiene habits to control the spread of pink eye infection. For instance:

• You should not touch your eyes with your direct hands.

• You must wash your hands often.

• Always use a clean towel for personal use and you must washcloth daily.

• Don't share personal towels or washcloths.

• Always change your pillow covers often.

• You must throw away old eye cosmetic products, such as mascara.

• You should not share any eye cosmetics or personal eye care items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What causes pink eyes?

Ans: Pink eye can be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals or allergies. 

Q2. How did I get pink eye overnight?

Ans: Pink eye is most often caused by a virus. It usually occurs at the same time as or right after you have had a cold.

Q3. How long can pink eye last?

Ans: The infection will usually clear up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences. 

Q4. Do you need surgery for your pink eye?

Ans: Most cases of pink eye will go away on their own. You don't always need to see a doctor if you have pink eye.

Q5. How can I treat an eye infection at home?

Ans: Salt water, or saline, is one of the most effective home remedies for eye infections.