Last week we learned about what pink eye is and its’ symptoms to look out, this week, we’ll learn the different types of pink eye and what to be wary of when treating them.
A Common Eye Condition
This common eye condition can be defined as a redness and inflammation of the membranes that cover the whites of the eyes. Conjunctivitis will also affect the membranes on the inner parts of the eyelids.
Pink eye may be caused by many different things. It can be caused by a bacteria, a virus, allergies, toxic agents and sometimes by underlying diseases in the body. Pink eye can be classified as noninfectious or infectious depending on the cause.
Viral Pink Eye
A viral infection is the leading cause of pink eye. This type of viral infection will produce a watery discharge from the eye. The eye infection may be accompanied by cold like symptoms and sinus congestion. Pink eye will cause swollen eyelids and sensitivity to bright lights. Viral pink eye is highly contagious and it will resolve in seven to ten days after the first symptoms appear. Viral pink eye will not require an antibiotic because viruses do not respond to antibiotics.
Bacterial Pink Eye
This infection will produce a large amount of yellow or greenish discharge from the eyes. This will usually accumulate after sleeping and make it impossible to open your eyes in the morning because they are stuck shut.
The treatment for bacterial pink eye is antibiotics that are prescribed by your doctor. Applying a warm wash cloth to the affected eye can help with the swelling and discomfort. Bacterial pink eye can be treated with antibiotics eye drops and sometimes an oral antibiotic may be given if there is other infection present in the body.
When to Look for Serious Medical Help
Complications from pink eye are rare, but if you or your child have pink eye and are having a lot of pain, you need to see your doctor right away. A lot of times conjunctivitis is a symptom of another underlying disease that can be quite serious.
If you have persistent pink eye, this may be a sign of a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic pink eye may also be present in Kawasaki’s disease and certain inflammatory bowels disease such as Crohn’s disease.
Ways to Protect Yourself
Both types of pink eye–Bacterial and viral– are highly contagious. Here are a few ways to protect yourself and your family:
- Frequent hand washing and keeping the infected person away from others will help prevent the spread of pink eye.
- Do not use medication from a previous eye infection or someone else eye medication to treat your pink eye.
- If you or someone in your family has pink eye, avoid touching the infected area.
- Have everyone in the household wash their hands frequently.
- Do not share washcloths or towels.
- Disinfect counter tops, doorknobs and sinks to help prevent the spread of pink eye.
RESOURCES
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Eye Infections
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/conditions/infections.html - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pink Eye Usually Mild and Easy to Treat
http://www.cdc.gov/features/conjunctivitis/ - Kids Health: Pinkeye
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/eye/conjunctivitis.html - HealthStatus: Pink Eye Complications and Treatments
http://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/eyes-contacts-lasik/pink-eye-complications-and-treatment/ - MayoClinic: Pink Eye
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pink-eye/DS00258/DSECTION=complications - NHS: Conjuctivitis Complications
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Conjunctivitis-infective/Pages/Complications.aspx - MDAnderson: Wide Range of Cancer Treatments May Produce Ocular Complications
http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolog/articles/12/11-12-nov-dec/11-12-12-2.html
