Conjunctivitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Conjunctivitis, popularly known as pink eye, is inflammation or irritation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent layer covering the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. When inflamed, its fine blood vessels widen, making the white of the eye look pink or red.

It has several types by cause: viral, the most common and highly contagious, sometimes accompanying colds; bacterial, causing sticky yellow discharge; and allergic, linked to pollen and dust, affecting both eyes with itching. Each type is handled differently, but most cases are mild and improve on their own within days.

The most important point is preventing the spread of infection, since the viral and bacterial types spread easily through hands and shared items, so hand hygiene and not touching the eye or sharing towels are essential prevention. It is also important to distinguish simple conjunctivitis from conditions that require an eye doctor, such as severe pain or affected vision, because some other eye diseases may resemble pink eye at the start.

• Redness of the white of the eye.
• Tearing and discharge (watery in viral, sticky yellow in bacterial).
• Itching and burning (especially in allergic).
• A foreign-body sensation and eyelids sticking together in the morning.

• Viral infection (the most common).
• Bacterial infection.
• Allergy to pollen, dust, or irritants.
• Irritants such as chlorine or smoke.

• Clinical diagnosis from symptoms and the eye's appearance.
• Determining the type (viral/bacterial/allergic) from the discharge and symptoms.
• Broader evaluation for severe pain or affected vision.

Viral

• Improves on its own; cool compresses and artificial tears for comfort.

Bacterial

• Antibiotic drops or ointment by prescription when needed.

Allergic

• Avoiding the allergen, anti-allergy drops, and cool compresses.

Avoid rubbing the eye and sharing items. This content is educational and does not replace consulting an eye doctor.

• Spread of infection to the other eye or to other people.
• Keratitis (corneal inflammation), rarely, in severe cases.

• Frequent handwashing and not touching the eye.
• Not sharing towels and eye products.
• Avoiding allergens in the allergic type.