Pink eye can be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals or allergies. While pink eye can be a result of a minor infection that can resolve on its own, it can also be the sign of a more serious problem. Pink eye can be contagious.
Pink eye is most often caused by a viral infection. It also can be caused by a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct. Though pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye.
Most of the time, pink eye is caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral pink eye is the most common type. You can also get pink eye from allergies to things like pollen or pet fur — or from other things that can bother your eyes, like pool water with chlorine, air pollution, or makeup.
Most common causes of pink eye are viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Less common causes include irritants such as: Chemicals. Contact lens wear.
Viral pink eye
It's usually caused by the virus that causes the common cold. It tends to start in one eye, causing lots of tears and a watery discharge. Within 24-48 hours, it affects the other eye, too. You might feel a swollen lymph node in front of your ear or under your jawbone.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, usually given topically as eye drops or ointment, for bacterial pink eye. Antibiotics may help shorten the length of infection, reduce complications, and prevent the spread to others. Antibiotics may be necessary in the following cases: With discharge (pus)
Stress does not cause pink eye, but one cause of viral conjunctivitis is the herpes virus, which stays dormant in a person's body and can be activated when they experience stress. This can lead to cold sores on the lip, skin rashes, or eye infections such as pink eye.
Patient counseling. Advise patients to remain home if they have viral or bacterial conjunctivitis with systemic signs of illness, especially if they cannot avoid close contact with others. Patients may return to work or school after any indicated therapy is implemented.
It can be hard to tell whether the infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. In general, the discharge associated with viral conjunctivitis is watery, whereas it will be thicker and more pus-like when the infection is caused by bacteria.
Pink eye is usually contagious for 10–14 days . People should wash their hands frequently and avoid close contact with others to reduce the risk of transmission.
Viral conjunctivitis
People may use OTC artificial tears 4 times per day . People can look for preservative-free artificial tears, which they may be able to use up to 10 times per day. If the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is causing conjunctivitis, people may use eye drops containing trifluridine (Viroptic).
There are eye conditions with similar symptoms to pink eye. It's common to mistake allergies, styes, iritis, keratitis, and blepharitis for it. They can have different causes and require different treatments. Protect your eye health by setting up an exam with our team.
Staying clean can protect others from catching pink eye. Cleanliness can also prevent the infection from spreading to both eyes, if only one is infected. Stay clean to protect yourself and others: Keep your hands away from infected eyes.
This is a popular myth amongst school-age pranksters that asserts a person who uses a pillowcase that a practical joker farted on will later contract pink eye. You cannot get pink eye from a fart. Flatulence is primarily methane gas and does not contain bacteria. Additionally, bacteria die quickly outside the body.
The discharge from pink eye, which refers to bacterial conjunctivitis, contains pus. As it dries, this pus may leave crust around the eye. Eye irritation from allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, is less likely to cause this symptom. The eyes may feel itchy and have watery discharge instead.
You usually don't need antibiotic drops or ointments to treat pink eye. They don't help alleviate the symptoms or make you less contagious. It's difficult to distinguish between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, but both typically are self-limiting, meaning the illness will go away on its own.
Signs and symptoms
Pink or red color in the white of the eye from visible blood vessels. Swelling of the eyelids or thin layer that lines the white of the eye. Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning. Watery, teary eyes.
Ultimately the best way to lessen the spread of conjunctivitis is to stay home from work or school until 24 hours after starting treatment. However, the Mayo Clinic says pink eye is no more contagious than the common cold. So if you have to, it is OK to go to work or school. Practice good hygiene to limit its spread.
Approximately 48.64% of participants exhibited abnormal Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT). Conclusion: Excessive screen time is significantly associated with reduced TBUT and a lower blink rate in children, contributing to dry eye disease and inflammatory conjunctivitis.
For bacterial conjunctivitis, the symptoms usually begin 24 to 72 hours after exposure to the infection. For viral conjunctivitis, the onset of symptoms can range from 12 hours to 12 days after infection.
Pink eye can be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals or allergies. While pink eye can be a result of a minor infection that can resolve on its own, it can also be the sign of a more serious problem. Pink eye can be contagious. Treatment of the condition varies based on the cause.
Nonprescription eye drops called artificial tears may relieve symptoms. Some eye drops contain antihistamines or other medicines that can help people with allergic conjunctivitis. Stop wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, you may need to stop wearing them until your eyes feel better.