Condition Basics
What is pink eye?
Pink eye is redness and swelling of the lining of the eyelid and eye surface. The lining is called the conjunctiva (Figure 1) (say "kawn-junk-TY-vuh"). Pink eye is also called conjunctivitis (Figure 2) (say "kun-JUNK-tih-VY-tus"). The lining of the eye is normally clear and colourless.
What causes it?
Pink eye is most often caused by a virus. It usually occurs at the same time as or right after you have had a cold. Less commonly, pink eye can be caused by infection with bacteria. Dry air, allergies, smoke, and chemicals can also cause pink eye.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of pink eye include:
- Redness.
- Itchy or burning eyes.
- More tears than usual. The eye may drain a clear or slightly thick, whitish liquid.
- Grey or yellow drainage from the eye. Waking up with the eyelashes of one or both eyes stuck together from this dried drainage is a common symptom of pink eye.
- Mild sensitivity to light (photophobia).
You may have symptoms in one eye, both eyes, or the symptoms may spread from one eye to the other eye. When pink eye is caused by a virus, symptoms usually start in one eye and may then spread to the other eye.
If you think you have pink eye, call your doctor to find out the best way to treat it. And if you are wearing contact lenses, be sure to take them out right away. Certain health risks may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
If you have other symptoms like eye pain or a change in your vision, if you wear contact lenses, or if you have other medical problems, you may have a more serious eye problem. In these cases it is especially important to see a doctor. Young children with pink eye may also have an ear infection, so they may need to see a doctor.
How is it diagnosed?
A doctor can usually diagnose pink eye with an eye exam and by asking questions about your symptoms. Sometimes the doctor will use a cotton swab to take some fluid from around your eye so it can be tested for bacteria or other infection.
How is pink eye treated?
If your doctor thinks the pink eye is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops (Figure 3) or eye ointment (Figure 4) to kill the bacteria. With antibiotic treatment, symptoms usually go away in 2 to 3 days. But antibiotics only work for bacterial pink eye, not for the more common viral pink eye. Viral pink eye often improves on its own in 7 to 10 days. But it can last longer. If your symptoms last longer, call your doctor.
If the pink eye is caused by an allergy or chemical, it won't go away until you avoid what's causing it.
Home treatment of pink eye symptoms can help you feel more comfortable while the infection goes away. Try using a clean, moist cloth to remove crust. Use allergy eyedrops and medicines to reduce symptoms of pink eye caused by allergies. You may also close your eye and use warm, wet cloths on it a few times a day if it hurts.
How can you prevent it?
Pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria is spread through contact with the eye drainage. Touching an infected eye leaves drainage on your hand. If you touch your other eye or an object when you have drainage on your hand, you can spread the virus or bacteria.
Follow these tips to help prevent the spread of pink eye:
- Wash your hands before and after you touch your eyes or face or use medicine in your eyes.
- Do not share eye makeup.
- Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
- Do not share eye medicine.
- Do not share towels, bed linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels, and face cloths each day.
People with pink eye should stay at home until their symptoms are gone.
Figure 1 - Eye Structures (Front and Side Views)
The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. In a healthy eye, the conjunctiva is clear and colourless.
The sclera is the tough outer layer of the eyeball (the white of the eye). The slight bulge in the sclera at the front of the eye is a clear, thin, dome-shaped tissue called the cornea. The cornea directs light rays into the eye and helps focus them on the retina.
The pupil is the opening in the coloured part of the eye (iris). It allows light to pass to the lens. The iris controls the size of the pupil in response to light outside the eye so that the proper amount of light is let into the eye.
The lens is normally clear and is located behind the iris. Small muscles attached to the lens can change its shape. This allows the eye to focus on near or far objects.
Vitreous gel (also called vitreous humour) is a thick liquid that fills the eye. It helps the eyeball keep its shape.
The retina is a thin nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye. It detects light entering the eye and converts it into electrical impulses. The optic nerve carries the impulses to the brain. The brain interprets the impulses as the things that you see.
The macula is part of the retina. The macula provides the sharp, detailed, central vision that allows you to focus on what is directly in the line of sight. The rest of the retina provides side (peripheral) vision, which allows you to see shapes but not fine details.
Current as of: September 27, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Figure 2 - Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Figure 3 - Eyedrops
To use eyedrops, tilt your head back, and pull the lower eyelid down with one or two fingers to create a pouch. Gently squeeze the dropper to put a drop in the pouch. Close the eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drop absorb. If you are putting more than 1 drop in your eye, wait at least 5 minutes between eyedrops.
For younger children, have the child lie down with the eyes closed. Place an eyedrop in the inner corner of the eye. When the eye opens, the drop will run in.
Take these safety precautions when using eyedrops:
- Wash your hands well before and after inserting the drops. If possible, wear disposable gloves when you insert drops into someone else's eyes.
- Be sure the dropper is clean and does not touch the eye, eyelid, lashes, or any surface.
- If the dropper touches the eye, do not put the dropper back in the bottle. A new dropper can be purchased at a drugstore.
- If you touch the bottle tip to the eye or the area around the eye, call your pharmacy and arrange to get another bottle of eye medicine.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Figure 4 - Eye ointment
To use eye ointment, pull the lower eyelid down with one or two fingers to create a pouch. Put a thin line of ointment in the pouch. Close the eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the ointment absorb.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
