Causes and Symptoms of Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an infection of the conjunctiva that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the eyelids. The conjunctiva contains small blood vessels. When these vessels are infected or inflamed, they become more visible, which is what causes the pink or reddish appearance on the whites of the eyes. Pink eye can be highly contagious, so it’s important to seek treatment at San Antonio optometry as soon as you suspect you may have conjunctivitis. Here are the causes and symptoms to be aware of that may indicate conjunctivitis.

Causes of Pink Eye

Pink eye is generally caused by a viral or bacterial infection or an allergic reaction. For instance, both bacterial and viral pink eye may occur with a respiratory infection or a cold. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious. The infection is spread through indirect or direct contact with the fluid that drains from the eye of the person that is infected and one or both eyes can be affected. One of the most common causes of bacterial conjunctivitis is from wearing contact lenses that have not been properly cleaned or from wearing someone else’s contacts. Allergic conjunctivitis typically affects both of your eyes and is caused by a reaction to an allergen, such as pollen. In some cases, pink eye may be caused from irritation, such as splashing a chemical in your eye or a foreign object in the eye. Conjunctivitis in newborns is often caused by a blocked tear duct.

Symptoms of Pink Eye

Regardless of the cause of conjunctivitis, the symptoms are generally the same and may include:

• Redness in one or both of your eyes
• Itchiness
• Gritty feeling in the eye
• A discharge from the eye that creates a crust during the night that often prevents you from opening your eye in the morning
• Frequent tearing

Although pink eye is irritating, it rarely affects vision. However, in some situations, conjunctivitis may cause inflammation in the cornea that can affect your vision. For this reason, and to prevent spreading the infection, it’s essential that you get prompt treatment from San Antonio optometry. Seeking immediate treatment will allow your eye doctor to make sure that the infection isn’t caused by a foreign object stuck in your eye, which can lead to more serious injuries of the eye.

If you suspect you may have conjunctivitis, contact Nevelow Eye Associates as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.