Pink eye

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, causes redness and swelling inside the eyelid and the white part of the eye. It may also cause pain and itchiness.

Pink eye is quite common, and some types spread easily. You can prevent pink eye from spreading to others by taking care of your hygiene by washing your hands often and avoiding sharing items such as makeup, towels and pillowcases.

Some types of pink eye resolve without treatment. If your pink eye is mild, you can ease your symptoms at home using over-the-counter eye drops and a cold compress and lubrication eye drops. Other types of pink eye may require professional medical care.

Pink eye in newborns

Pink eye is usually a serious health issue for newborns. Contact your doctor if your baby has the following:

• Puffy red eyelids
• Unusual fluid or discharge from the eye

Symptoms of pink eye

The most common pink eye symptoms include:

• Watery eyes
• Red or pink eyes
• Burning or itchy eyes
• Crust along the eyelashes or eyelids, which may prevent the eyes from opening when you wake up
• White, green, or yellow fluid from the eyes

Pink eyes can also cause:

• A lump in front of the ear
• Blurry vision
• Swollen eyelids
• Sensitivity to bright light
• A feeling like something is stuck in your eye

If you wear contacts, they may not stay in place or feel uncomfortable. Do not use your contact lenses if you get a pink eye and if your pink eye is associated with use of contact lenses you most see an eye doctor to make sure is not due to infection.

Can I have pink eye?

Anyone can have pink eye, as it is one of the most common eye problems in adults and children. You are likely to get a pink eye if you:

• Wear contact lenses
• Get in contact with something you are allergic to.
• Recently has a respiratory infection, like a cold or cough
• Come in contact with someone who has pink eye

Newborns also have a higher risk for pink eye, which is usually severe for them.

What can cause pink eye?

In most cases, pink eye results from a bacterial or viral infection, but the most common is viral pink eye.

Pink eye may also occur from allergies to pet fur, pollen, or other things that can bother the eye, like air pollution, makeup or pool water with chlorine.

It may be difficult to determine the exact cause of pink eye because the symptoms are often the same.

How can I prevent spreading pink eye?

Bacterial and viral pink eye can easily spread, but the following steps will limit its spread.

If you are around someone who has pink eye:

• Always wash your hands before touching your eyes
• Wash your hands frequently with water and soap. If you don’t have soap and water, use a hand sanitiser containing alcohol.
• Wash your hands after touching someone with pink eye or something the person used. For example, if you put eye drops in the person’s eye or their bedsheets in a washing machine, best to wash your hands immediately.
• Avoid sharing personal items with someone with pink eye, like glasses, makeup, towels or pillows.

If you have pink eye:

• Clean your glasses regularly
• Wash your hands regularly with water and soap. Ensure you are extra careful after washing your hands, using eye drops or medicine, or touching your eyes. If you do not have soap and water, use a hand sanitiser containing alcohol.
• If you wear contacts, adhere to the eye doctor’s instructions for storing, cleaning and replacing them.
• Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes.
• Avoid sharing personal items with others, including glasses, pillows, makeup or towels.
• If you have discharge, wash around your eyes 2 – 3 times daily. Use a fresh cotton ball or clean, wet wash cloth each time. Ensure your hands are clean before and after washing your eyes.
• Stop using your contact lenses when you get pink eye.

The following steps can also help prevent the reoccurrence of pink eye

• Clean your glasses and the cases
• Dispose of your contact lenses, contact lens solution and cases you used when you had pink eye
• Dispose of any makeup used when you had pink eye, including eye makeup, sponges, brushes, and face makeup.

When should I see a doctor for pink eye?

In most cases, pink eye gets better on its own. Visit your doctor if:

• Your eyes are red
• You have a health condition that weakens your immune system, like HIV or cancer.
• You feel a lot of pain in your eye
• Your symptoms don’t get better after a couple of days, or they worsen
• You are sensitive to light, or your vision is blurry, and it doesn’t get better when you wipe off the discharge from your eye.
• You have a lot of mucus coming from your eyes.
• You have pink eye symptoms and wear contact lenses, or recently scratched your eyes.

The doctor will examine your eye and ask questions to determine the cause of your pink eye and the best treatment.

Treatment for pink eye

Pink eye usually gets better after 7 – 10 days, but you may need to visit your eye doctor for treatment.

If you have pink eyes and the symptoms are becoming worse, visit Optimal Vision to see our eye doctor for an eye exam and treatment. You can call us on 020 7183 3725 to schedule an appointment.