Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is a medical condition in which the conjunctiva, the outer membrane lining the eyelid and a portion of the eyeball, becomes inflamed causing the eyelid and whites of the eye to have pink or light reddish appearance. Pink eye is very common, especially in children, and forms of the condition are highly contagious. Understanding the causes and symptoms of pink eye is vital to both treatment and in preventing the spread to others.

What Causes Pink Eye?

Pink eye has four primary causes: bacterial infection, viral infection, irritants and foreign materials, and allergic responses. Inflammations caused by bacteria or viral infections are highly contagious, unlike pink eye caused by an allergic response or the eye’s reaction to an irritant.



Because the symptoms for all types of pink eye are similar, if the cause of the eye inflammation is unknown, the condition should be assumed contagious and proper precautions taken until medical treatment is obtained.

What are the Symptoms?

As the name implies, the condition causes portions of the eye and eyelid to become inflamed and turn pink or even light red. Because of the inflammation and irritation, the eye (or eyes) may be itchy, watery, dry or gritty, and may even feel like a foreign material is caught in the eye. Allergen or irritant induced pink eye will be more likely to affect both eyes while bacterial or viral infections may affect one eye or both. A discharge may be present with allergic or irritant irritations; however, thick pus or discolored discharges from the affected eye(s) are more likely to be present with bacterial or viral infections. Bacterial or viral pink eye may also occur during a respiratory infection or along with other bacterial or viral illnesses.

What is the Treatment?

Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the condition. If the inflammation is caused by a simple eye irritant, over the counter eye drops or flushing with water may alleviate the symptoms. An actual allergic response such as a reaction to seasonal allergens may require prescription strength medicated drops or ointments depending on the severity.

A physician may opt to take a sample of present eye secretions if bacterial or viral pink eye is suspected to enable him or her to properly treat the condition. While bacterial pink eye will respond to prescription treatment, pink eye caused by a virus will not and will need to simply run its course. Bacterial and viral pink eye sufferers may be contagious for up to 14 days and it is generally recommended that those individuals not return to normal activities such as work or school until at least 24 hours after treatment has begun or symptoms disappear—depending on the nature of the inflammation.

There is rarely concern of additional medical complications with pink eye inflammation, but the condition should be evaluated and treated by a medical professional to reduce any risk of eye damage as well as preventing the transmission of the illness to others.