What Is Pink Eye and What Can You Do About it?

Pink is usually a lovely colour. However, it loses its appeal if you suffer from conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Anyone with this condition need to contact an eye doctor about treatment alternatives. The first sign of this type of condition is marked by redness in the inner part of the eyelid or the white of the eye. The eye will tear more than normal and a thick yellow discharge dries and crusts on the eyelashes, usually after sleeping.

Determining the Pink Eye You Have

Your eyes may burn, itch, or blur when you are suffering from conjunctivitis. That is why you need to address the eye problem without delay. If you want to know what to do for pink eye, you need to find out the type of pink eye you have. You may either be suffering from viral conjunctivitis or bacterial conjunctivitis. Treatment for both is different.

Whilst viral conjunctivitis is contagious, it usually clears up after several days without the need of treatment. On the other hand, bacterial conjunctivitis, if left untreated, can trigger serious damage to an eye. Viral conjunctivitis, as the name implies, develops from a virus similar the common cold. It is normally spread by sneezing or coughing. The main symptoms associated with this viral pink eye are itchy or watery eyes. Bacterial conjunctivitis is the pink eye that is defined by a thick discharge. It needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Another form of conjunctivitis is allergic conjunctivitis. This form of pink eye is denoted by watery, itchy, or burning eyes along with a runny and stuffy nose. Patients also find that their eyes are sensitive to light. Usually, both eyes are affected. However, because this is an allergy, it will not spread to other people.

All the above forms of pink eye make use of different remedies. For instance, to ease viral pink eye, you can simply apply a wet, cold washcloth to the eyes a couple times each day. This is done to relieve the associated symptoms. However, because this form of pink eye is contagious, make sure that you keep the washcloth away from other members in your family.

Treating Bacterial and Allergic Pink Eye

Bacterial pink eye can be treated with antibiotics that are applied topically. Therefore, the eye doctor will often suggest using prescription eye drops or ointments to alleviate the symptoms. Allergy medications usually shorten the length of time a person suffers from allergic conjunctivitis. A doctor may advise that a patient start taking an allergy medicine before the allergy season begins.

Some of the symptoms that are associated with pink eye include dry eyes, blepharitis, or eye infections. If bacterial conjunctivitis is not treated, the patient may develop a corneal ulcer. This type of sore can lead to permanent vision loss.

If you contract pink eye and regularly wear contacts, remove them and wear eyeglasses until your eye or eyes heal. If you wear eyeglasses on a regular basis and wish to prevent future problems with pink eye, consider the use of photochromic lenses. These lenses lower light sensitivity and protect the vision from the harmful effects of UV rays.

News Reporter