Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)It is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white of the eye. It is sometimes called pink eye. How does it occur? It can be caused by many things, including infection by viruses or bacteria. Viruses that cause colds may lead to pink eye. Some bacteria that cause it are chlamydia, staphylococci, and streptococci. Severe pink eye, such as that caused by the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, is rare, but it can cause blindness. Viral forms of it can be spread easily from person to person. Viruses can be spread by coughing or sneezing and can get in your eyes through contact with contaminated objects, including: What are the symptoms? Symptoms may include: How is it diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and if you have been near someone who has pink eye. Your provider will examine your eyes. He or she will also check for enlarged lymph nodes near your ear and jaw. Your provider may get lab tests of a sample of the pus to see what type of germs are present. How is it treated? Like a cold, viral pink eye will usually go away on its own, even without treatment. However, your healthcare provider may prescribe eyedrops to help control your symptoms. Antihistamine pills may also relieve the itching and redness. If you have bacterial pink eye, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotic eyedrops. You can also help your eyes get better by washing them gently to remove any pus or crusts. Then dry them gently with a clean towel. For very severe forms of pink eye, antibiotics may need to be given by mouth or with a shot or an IV (intravenous line). If you wear contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them until your eyes are healed. The combination of contacts and pink eye may damage your cornea (the clear outer layer on the front of your eye) and cause severe vision problems. Your doctor may ask you to throw away your current contact lenses and case. How long will the effects last? Viral pink eye usually gets worse 5 to 7 days after the first symptoms. It can get better in 10 days to 1 month. If only one eye is affected at first, the other eye may become infected up to 2 weeks later. Usually, if both eyes are affected, the first eye has worse conjunctivitis than the second. Bacterial conjunctivitis should improve within 2 days after you begin using antibiotics. If your eyes are not better after 3 days of antibiotics, call your healthcare provider. How can I prevent conjunctivitis? To keep from getting pink eye from someone who has it, or to keep from spreading it to others, follow these guidelines: When should I call my healthcare provider? Call your provider if: Back to top of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published by McKesson Corporation. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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