Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis, Is There A Difference?

Pink eye is a common term used when an eye has a red or pink discoloration around the white part of the eye.  There are many causes and types of conjunctivitis, which is more commonly called “pink eye”.  Conjunctivitis is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva which is a thin transparent layer of tissue which covers the white part of the eye.  Conjunctivitis can present symptoms along with underlying conditions, such as respiratory infections, often found in school age children.  To be properly diagnosed and treated for pink eye an eye care practitioner should be seen.  Dr. Lisanne Rogers at i2i eyecare can treat you and your family for medically related eye conditions.

·         Who gets pink eye?  Anyone of any age can contract pink eye.  Although, recent studies show that children seem to be diagnosed more often.  This can be the result of an underlying cold or respiratory infection, which can be the cause of pink eye.  Contact lens wearers are also vulnerable to pink eye.  The contact lens wearer can experience pink eye due to poor care of lenses, cases, or solution.

·         What are the symptoms and causes of pink eye?  The most common symptoms of pink eye are:

§  Redness of the eyes

§  Swollen or red eyelids

§  More tearing than normal

§  Itching or burning

§  Mild sensitivity to light 

Some of the most common causes of pink eye are infections spread by viruses or bacteria, dry eyes due to lack of tears (caused by overexposure to wind or sun), or allergies.  Similar symptoms can be present in other serious eye conditions; Dr. Lisanne Rogers will evaluate your condition and recommend the proper treatment plan. 

·         How do you prevent pink eye?  Most pink eye conditions are caused by viruses which are not medically treatable.  The prevention of its spread is an important step in ridding your household of the infection. Here are a few measures to help with prevention:

§  Wash hands frequently

§  Avoid touching and rubbing your eyes

§  Do not share personal hygiene products such as; wash cloths, towels, or pillow cases

§  Do not share eye make-up; mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow

§  Dispose of all eye make-up after recovery to prevent re-infection

§  Wear swim goggles in pools

As you can see anyone is susceptible to pink eye and if symptoms appear it is important to see an eyecare practitioner.  At i2i eyecare, Dr. Lisanne Rogers is available to help treat you or your family, she will help to educate you on the causes and walk you through the proper treatment plan.

www.i2ieyecare.com