What type of pink eye

Unlike the watery discharge of viral pink eye, bacterial conjunctivitis produces a thick white, yellow or green discharge from the affected eye s. Pink eye caused by bacteria usually clears up by itself within a duration of one to two weeks, but may need antibiotic eye drops if the condition worsens.

Antibiotic pink eye remedies are usually recommended if:. Sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia gonococcal and chlamydial conjunctivitis can also cause bacterial pink eye, but this is much less common. Eye allergies can lead to a common, non-contagious reaction called allergic conjunctivitis. It can be triggered by allergens like pollen, animal dander and dust mites.

The most prominent allergic conjunctivitis symptoms are itchy and red eyes. These can be alleviated with antihistamine eye drops or pills that control allergic reactions. The condition can be seasonal or year-round, depending on your individual allergies. When possible, avoiding the allergen in question is an important factor in preventing or getting rid of allergic conjunctivitis.

This type of pink eye most commonly affects people who wear soft contact lenses. It may cause contact lens intolerance, itching, a heavy discharge, tearing and red bumps on the underside of the eyelids. People affected by giant papillary conjunctivitis will be asked to stop wearing their contacts for a period.

Both types of pink eye often start during an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold virus or sore throat virus or bacteria. Most cases of bacterial and viral pink eye will get better without treatment in a few days to two weeks. To relieve symptoms in the meantime:. Severe pink eye can cause swelling in the cornea — the clear layer in the front of your eye. Treatment can prevent this complication. Most of the time pink eye is mild and will improve on its own, with or without treatment.

More serious cases may need treatment with antibiotics or antiviral medicines. Practicing good hand-washing hygiene and not sharing personal items can prevent the spread of pink eye. Pink eye is a common eye infection, especially in children. Learn more about the best remedies for pink eye, and when to see a doctor. Pink eye is a contagious eye infection. You're contagious for as long as you're experiencing symptoms such as watery eyes and discharge.

You may need…. Antibiotics only work to treat pink eye that's caused by bacteria. Here's why they shouldn't be your first line of defense, and when you may consider…. Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the tissue that lines your eyelid due to an allergic reaction, rather than an infection. Over-the-counter eye drops might also help. Antihistamine eye drops can alleviate the symptoms, and lubricating eye drops can rinse the allergen off the surface of the eye.

See your doctor of optometry if you think you have conjunctivitis. He or she can diagnose the cause and prescribe the proper treatment. With so many causes, there is no one preventive measure. Early diagnosis and treatment will help prevent the condition from becoming worse. Avoiding allergy triggers as much as possible also helps.

Frequent hand washing and keeping hands away from eyes also can make a difference, even when no problems are present. Acanthamoeba is one of the most common organisms in the environment. Although it rarely causes infection, when it does occur, it can threaten your vision. Amblyopia—also known as lazy eye—is the loss or lack of development of clear vision in one or both eyes. Forgot username or password?

You do not have access to this content. Join the AOA today! Eye and Vision Conditions. Causes may or may not be infectious. Allergic conjunctivitis Allergic conjunctivitis occurs more commonly among people who already have seasonal allergies. They develop it when they come into contact with a substance that triggers an allergic reaction in their eyes.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a type of allergic conjunctivitis caused by the chronic presence of a foreign body in the eye. People who wear hard or rigid contact lenses, wear soft contact lenses that are not replaced frequently, have an exposed suture on the surface of the eye or have a prosthetic eye are more likely to develop this form of conjunctivitis.

Infectious conjunctivitis Bacterial conjunctivitis is an infection most often caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria from your own skin or respiratory system. Insects, physical contact with other people, poor hygiene touching the eye with unclean hands , or using contaminated eye makeup and facial lotions can also cause the infection. Sharing makeup and wearing contact lenses that are not your own or are improperly cleaned can also cause bacterial conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by contagious viruses associated with the common cold. It can develop through exposure to the coughing or sneezing of someone with an upper respiratory tract infection. Viral conjunctivitis can also occur as the virus spreads along the body's own mucous membranes, which connect the lungs, throat, nose, tear ducts and conjunctiva. Since the tears drain into the nasal passageway, forceful nose blowing can cause a virus to move from your respiratory system to your eyes.

Ophthalmia neonatorum is a severe form of bacterial conjunctivitis that occurs in newborn babies. This is a serious condition that could lead to permanent eye damage if it is not treated immediately. Ophthalmia neonatorum occurs when an infant is exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhea while passing through the birth canal. For several years, U. Chemical conjunctivitis Chemical Conjunctivitis can be caused by irritants like air pollution, chlorine in swimming pools, and exposure to noxious chemicals.

Symptoms Symptoms vary with the causes discussed above. Diagnosis Conjunctivitis can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with special emphasis on the conjunctiva and surrounding tissues, may include: Patient history to determine the symptoms, when the symptoms began, and whether any general health or environmental conditions are contributing to the problem.

Visual acuity measurements to determine whether vision has been affected.