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Understanding and
Treating Conjunctivitis

Helping You with Knowledge and Solutions for Healthier Eyes

What it is:

Introduction: Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is when the thin tissue that covers the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids becomes inflamed. This can lead to redness, itching, swelling, and a sticky or watery discharge from the eyes. Conjunctivitis is common and can affect people of all ages. The three main types are bacterial, allergic, and viral conjunctivitis. Each type has different causes, but they all make your eyes uncomfortable.

What Causes It?

Causes:

  • Bacterial Conjunctivitis: This is caused by bacteria and is known for producing a thick yellow or green discharge. It can make your eyes feel gritty or irritated. It usually needs treatment with antibiotic drops or ointments.
  • Allergic Conjunctivitis: This happens when your eyes react to allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust. It causes red, itchy eyes but isn’t contagious. People with hay fever often experience allergic conjunctivitis during allergy season.
  • Viral Conjunctivitis: This type is often linked to colds or other respiratory infections. It’s highly contagious and usually leads to watery eyes and redness. Although viral conjunctivitis doesn’t need antibiotics, it can take time to heal on its own.

Recognize Your Symptoms:

If you think you have conjunctivitis, look for these signs:

  • Red Eyes: Your eyes may look red or pink, which is a common sign of irritation.
  • Itching or Burning: You might feel itchy or a burning sensation in your eyes.
  • Tearing: Your eyes may produce more tears than usual or feel watery.
  • Discharge: You could notice a sticky or gooey discharge, especially in the morning. This can be yellow or green in bacterial conjunctivitis.
  • Swelling: The area around your eyes may appear swollen or puffy.
  • Sensitivity to Light: You might find bright lights uncomfortable to look at.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to talk to a doctor for the right care and treatment.

Treatment:

Effective Treatments: 

We provide treatments suited to each type of conjunctivitis, helping to relieve your discomfort and speed up recovery. Here’s what we offer:

  • Antibiotic Treatments for Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are used to treat bacterial infections, clear up discharge, and reduce redness.
  • Eye Drops for Allergic Conjunctivitis: We offer soothing eye drops to calm irritation and reduce redness caused by allergens. These treatments can help stop the itch and discomfort.
  • Home Remedies and Support for Viral Conjunctivitis: Viral conjunctivitis doesn’t need antibiotics but can be managed with cool compresses and lubricating eye drops to ease irritation. We’ll guide you on how to care for your eyes until the infection clears up.

Tips for Managing Conjunctivitis:

To help manage conjunctivitis at home and prevent it from getting worse, try these simple tips:

  • Wash your hands regularly, especially if you touch your eyes. This helps prevent spreading the infection to others or making your own symptoms worse.
  • It’s tempting to rub itchy eyes, but this can irritate them further or spread the infection.
  • Always use fresh towels, washcloths, or tissues to wipe your eyes. Reusing items can spread bacteria or viruses.
  • If you have allergic conjunctivitis, try to stay indoors when pollen levels are high, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers to reduce allergens in your home.
  • Since viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, it’s a good idea to stay home from school or work until your symptoms clear up to prevent spreading it to others.

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Discover Your Conjunctivitis Risk: A Quick Eye Quiz

Complete this short quiz to find out about your eyes and how often you show signs of conjunctivitis.