Conjunctivitis is commonly known as pink eye or sometimes as sticky eye. It is an inflammation of a thin membrane covering the eyeballs and eyelids. The white part appears as red or pink due to this swelling.

Conjunctivitis is typically not a severe condition, and it affects people of all ages. Luckily, it is often mild and can be treated very easily. So, there is no need to worry about it.

Is conjunctivitis contagious?

Yes, it can be if viruses or bacteria cause it.

How do you get pink eye?

Pink eye can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, as well as non-infectious factors such as allergens or irritants.

How long does pink eye last?

The duration of pink eye typically ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the underlying cause

Read on to explore more about conjunctivitis, pink eye symptoms, what causes pink eye, and how it can be treated.

What is pink eye?

As the name suggests, pink eye is a condition in which our eyes turn pink. Why? Well, it happens when the blood vessels in the conjunctiva – a thin membrane covering the white part, become swollen, and the blood flow in them increases. As a result, the sclera – the white part of the eye becomes red or pink. It can affect one or both eyes.

This condition can be acute or chronic. If it lasts for four weeks, it is mild or acute, and if it lasts more than four weeks, it is chronic. Usually, the mild one goes away by itself.

Symptoms of pink eye

Early-stage pink eye symptoms usually include redness, itching, and watery discharge. Other pink eye symptoms include;

• Itching or burning sensation, which will eventually lead to tearing.
• Irritation in the eye.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Discharge (might be thick or thin) from the eyes.
• Foreign body sensation ( gritty or sandy feeling in the eye).
• Swelling in the eyelid.
• Discomfort, or you may feel mild eye pain.
• Blurred vision.

What causes pink eye?

The pink eye or conjunctivitis can be caused due to many common reasons. A virus, bacteria, or other causes, including eye injuries, allergens, pollens, dust or irritants present in cosmetics or shampoo, can cause it.

These causes are mainly classified into following categories;

• Infectious conjunctivitis.
• Non-infectious conjunctivitis.

Infectious conjunctivitis

It can be viral or bacterial.

Viral conjunctivitis: It is the most common cause of acute conjunctivitis and infectious conjunctivitis in adults. If you have viral conjunctivitis in one eye, you are most likely to get it in the other eye as well.

The most common cause of viral pinkeye is a virus called adenovirus. The other causes may include herpes simplex viruses and common systematic viruses. In this type of infectious conjunctivitis, the discharge drained from the eye is usually clear.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: It is the second most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis after viral pink eye in adults and the most common cause of pink in infants.

It is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. They can thrive on surfaces and transmit through direct contact. Pink eye caused by bacteria may produce thicker, stickier discharge than viral conjunctivitis.

Non- infectious conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis: It arises from allergens like pollen or pet fur. According to a study published by RACGP, allergic conjunctivitis is the most common non-infective cause of pink eye, and it affects between 15% and 40% of the population.

It causes intense itching and redness, usually followed by sneezing and watery discharge from the nose. This type of conjunctivitis is not contagious.

Chemical conjunctivitis: Pink eye can also arise from irritants like smoke, dirt or pool chlorine. The chemical-induced pink eye also includes toxic substances present in shampoos, makeup, cosmetics, and contact solutions. It causes watery or mucus discharge from the eye.

Conjunctivitis Treatments

The approaches that include pink eye treatment vary depending on the cause:

The viral pink eye typically lasts for 5 to 14 days. The treatment for conjunctivitis caused by viruses includes artificial tears and cool compresses. They help alleviate discomfort.

Bacterial conjunctivitis usually goes by itself within one to two weeks. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are usually prescribed to reduce the infectivity period of bacterial conjunctivitis.

For allergic conjunctivitis, the management involves avoiding the allergen and using antihistamines (such as olopatadine), eye drops, or oral medications to alleviate the symptoms.

Maintaining good hygiene plays a significant role in treatment as well. Regularly washing hands and avoiding touching the eyes can prevent further irritation or spreading of infectious cases.

Prevention from pink eye

Following preventive measures can save you from discomfort and disruption in your daily life.

• Maintain good hygiene as it will reduce the risk of germs spreading
• Break the habit of touching your eyes now and then.
• Ensure that your contact lenses are clean and follow proper guidelines for wear.
• Avoid sharing your personal towel, cosmetics or makeup tools with others. These things provide microbes perfect breeding grounds.
• Keep a safe distance from other people who are infected with infectious conjunctivitis
• Wash or sanitize your hands often to avoid the risk of infection.

When should you see a doctor for pink eye?

Usually, pink eye or conjunctivitis is self-limiting, which means it can resolve on its own. However, if you notice the following a few things, immediately seek medical advice from your GP.

• Extreme redness.
• Severe eye pain or sore eyes.
• Your vision became blurred.
• If your symptoms do not ease after 1 to 2 days.
• You started experiencing symptoms of cold.
• Pain in eyes when exposed to light (light sensitivity).
• If you notice dryness in your eyes

Conclusion

Pink eye is a very common condition that can affect anyone. Learning about pink eye causes, together with symptoms and treatment solutions, lets us manage this condition properly.

Proper hygiene measures help minimize infection risks among patients with both bacterial and viral forms of the infection. Medical intervention at the right time eliminates discomfort and stops complications from developing in infectious conjunctivitis.

Proper education about pink eye enables people to develop proactive health measures in their wellness journey. Applying appropriate knowledge and strategies empowers people to handle pink eye symptoms more effectively.

Need urgent medical advice? Consult online with our qualified and AHPRA-registered GP at Doctor Help.

References:

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) – Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic.
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355
• Healthdirect Australia. (2024, August 20). Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/conjunctivitis
• Conjunctivitis. (n.d.). Australian Journal of General Practice.
  https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2024/november/conjunctivitis
• National Eye Institute. (2024, August 28). Pink Eye | National Eye Institute.
  https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/pink-eye