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Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
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Pink eye viral conjunctivitis: There
is diffuse redness of the conjunctiva,
and the eye is watery with clear
tears. Vision is normal and the
cornea is clear.
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Pink eye, the common name for conjunctivitis,
is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. The
conjunctiva is the outer, normally clear membrane covering
the sclera, the white part of the eye. The eye appears pink
in conjunctivitis because the blood vessels in it are dilated.
Pink eye is often accompanied by a discharge, but vision
is usually normal, and discomfort is mild.
Either a viral or a bacterial infection
may cause conjunctivitis. Viruses, which are more common,
may also cause an upper respiratory infection (or cold)
at the same time. Because there is no cure for the common
cold, there is no medication that will cure viral conjunctivitis.
Instead, your body's own immune system eventually clears
the infection after one to three weeks. Unlike viruses,
bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with a variety of antibiotic
eye drops or ointments which usually cure the infection
quickly.
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(click image for
larger view)
Tiny bumps, or follicles, which
are conglomerations of lymphocytes
appear on the inside of the eyelid
to fight the viral infection.
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Conjunctivitis can be very contagious.
It is common for conjunctivitis in one eye to spread to
the fellow eye. Conjunctivitis is spread by direct contact
from infected hands and objects. Therefore, people who have
it should not share towels or pillowcases and should wash
their hands frequently. They may need to stay home from
school or work and should stay out of swimming pools.
Finally, not everyone with a red eye has
infectious conjunctivitis. Allergies can cause conjunctivitis
too. Typically, people with allergic conjunctivitis have
itchy eyes, especially in the Spring and Fall. Sometimes
inflammation inside the eye, iritis, or certain types of
glaucoma can mimic pink eye. If vision is affected, or if
the problem does not get better in a couple of days, see
an ophthalmologist.
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