Pink Eye – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, occurs when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed. When this happens, small blood vessels swell and become more visible, giving the eye a distinctive pink or reddish appearance.
The condition typically stems from three main causes:
- Viral Infections (most common cause)
- Bacterial Infections
- Allergic Reactions
In infants, an incompletely opened tear duct may also lead to symptoms resembling pink eye.
While pink eye can be uncomfortable and irritating, it rarely causes vision damage. The condition is often contagious, particularly when caused by viruses or bacteria.
Early diagnosis and proper precautions play important roles in preventing its spread to others.
Treatment options focus on relieving symptoms and addressing the underlying cause, whether that’s fighting an infection or managing allergies.
Signs and Indicators
Pink eye typically results in a range of distinctive symptoms. These typically include:
- Redness affecting one or both eyes
- Itchy feeling in the affected eye(s)
- Gritty sensation as if something is in your eye
- Discharge that may form crusts overnight, sometimes making it difficult to open your eyes in the morning
- Excessive tearing
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
When Medical Attention Is Needed
Seek medical attention right away if you have eye pain, feel like something is stuck in your eye, experience blurred vision, or have extreme sensitivity to light. These symptoms might indicate a more serious eye condition.
If you wear contact lenses, remove them as soon as you notice any pink eye symptoms. Should your symptoms not improve within 12–24 hours, contact your eye care provider promptly.
This is important to rule out a potentially serious infection related to contact lens use.
What Causes Pink Eye
Viral and Bacterial Infections
Most pink eye cases come from viruses, especially adenoviruses. Other viruses, like herpes simplex and varicella-zoster, can also cause it.
Viral and bacterial pink eye frequently manifest alongside cold symptoms or a sore throat. People who wear contact lenses incorrectly or share lenses risk bacterial infections.
How these infections spread:
- Direct contact with infected eye fluid
- Touching contaminated surfaces, then touching your eyes
- Sharing personal items like towels or makeup
Both types can affect one or both eyes and spread easily from person to person.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic pink eye consistently impacts both eyes. It happens when your body reacts to allergens like:
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
When allergens enter your body, your immune system makes immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These trigger cells to release inflammatory substances, including histamines.
Allergic pink eye symptoms include:
- Intense eye itching
- Excessive tearing
- Eye inflammation
- Sneezing
- Watery nose
Unlike other forms, allergic pink eye isn’t contagious and can usually be controlled with eye drops and allergy medication.
Eye Irritants
Pink eye can develop after:
- Chemical splashes
- Foreign objects in the eye
- Smoke exposure
- Strong fumes
Even the process of flushing your eye to remove irritants can cause temporary redness and irritation. Symptoms typically include watery eyes and mucous discharge, but usually clear up within a day.
Warning signs that need medical attention:
- Symptoms that don’t improve after flushing
- Exposure to caustic chemicals like lye
- Severe pain or discomfort
- Vision changes
These could indicate a corneal scratch or that a foreign object remains in your eye. Chemical splashes require immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage.
Risk Factors
People can get pink eye more easily in certain situations. These include:
- Contact with someone who has viral or bacterial conjunctivitis
- Exposure to allergens that trigger allergic reactions
- Wearing contact lenses, particularly those worn for extended periods
Possible Issues
Pink eye can lead to cornea inflammation in both children and adults, which may affect vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help right away.
- Eye Pain
- Feeling of Something in Your Eye
- Blurry Vision
- Sensitivity to Light
Timely evaluation and treatment by a healthcare provider can lower the risk of complications.
How to Prevent Pink Eye
Good hygiene plays a key role in controlling pink eye spread. Here are important steps to follow:
- Avoid touching your eyes with your hands
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Use clean towels and washcloths every day
- Don’t share personal items like towels or washcloths
- Change pillowcases regularly
- Discard old eye makeup, especially mascara
- Keep eye cosmetics and care items personal; never share them
Since pink eye spreads like the common cold, people should maintain good hygiene before returning to work, school, or daycare.
If your job or school requires close contact with others, it may be best to stay home until your symptoms clear up.
Protecting Newborns from Pink Eye
Newborn babies can get eye infections from bacteria in the birth canal. These bacteria frequently do not produce any symptoms in mothers. However, they can lead to a serious form of pinkeye in babies, called ophthalmia neonatorum.
To prevent this problem, healthcare providers apply antibiotic ointment to all newborns’ eyes shortly after birth. This simple preventive measure helps protect babies from developing eye infections that could damage their sight.
