CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye,” is an infection or swelling in the outer membrane of your eyeball usually caused by either an infection (bacterial or viral) or an allergic reaction.

Patients with conjunctivitis may experience:

  • Pink- or red-toned eyes
  • Gritty feeling in your eyes
  • Watery or thick discharge that builds up on your eyes at night
  • Itchiness in your eyes
  • Abnormal amount of tears

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis for conjunctivitis is easy and can be treated depending on the cause of the inflammation. If necessary to testing, a doctor may request a tear or fluid sample from the conjunctiva for analysis.

 

TREATMENT

Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause of the inflammation. For a bacterial infection, antibiotics are the most common method of treatment; either in eye drop form or as ointment. For a viral infection, there is no treatment available save for the use a warm compress to soothe symptoms until the virus runs its course. For an allergic reaction, an antihistamine may be prescribed.

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