What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva is inflamed. The Conjunctiva is a clear membrane layer covering parts of your eyes.
What does pink eye look like?
Pink eye can cause your sclera to appear a red or pink color. It can cause your eyelids to look droopy or puffy. There could also be white, yellow, and green discharge that comes out from your eye.
How do you get Pink Eye?
Viruses such as Molluscum contagiosum, measles, or mumps
Allergens- pollen, dust, or mold
Substances such as shampoos, chlorine, cosmetics
A reaction from wearing contact lenses
Fungi, amoebas, and parasites
How is Pink Eye Diagnosed?
Your ophthalmologist will ask you questions about your symptoms and if you have been in contact with someone that has conjunctivitis. A silt lamp, a microscope combined with a high energy light, is used to examine the conjunctiva, sclera, iris, and cornea. Visual Acuity Tests can be used to see if your vision has been impacted. During these tests, you read letters or symbols from 20 feet away and cover one eye at a time. Eye Culture can allow you to sample cells from your eyelids. A pathologist uses this sample to find out if the cause of your pink eye is viral or bacterial.
Pink Eye Symptoms
Some symptoms of Pink eye are:
Burning Eyes
Light Sensitivity
Blurred Vision
Itchy/ Irritated eyes
Dry or watery eyes
How is Pink Eye Treated?
Bacterial conjunctivitis: Antibiotics such as eye drops or ointments
Allergic conjunctivitis: Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants can be used.
Fungal/ parasitic conjunctivitis: Antiparasitic and Antifungal drugs
Irritant conjunctivitis-For five minutes, you should begin by flusing your eyes with warm water. If it is a stronger substance such as drain cleaner you should flush your eyes and immediately go to a hospital.
Sources
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