Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis
What would you think if you woke up one morning and noticed your eye lids were stuck together? Sounds pretty disgusting or strange right? Actually its very common 1 out of 50 people a year will have this, its conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, also known as “Pink Eye” is swelling (inflammation) or infection of the membrane lining the eyelids. Pink Eye is highly contagious and is most common in children, especially children who attend day care or the first few years of school. Not only children can get this infection, infants, adults, elderly, and even dogs can get conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis The most common symptom for conjunctivitis is redness of the eyes. Blurred vision and sensitivity to light are also signs of the infection. As the infection gets worse the symptoms increase. A discharge is very common with conjunctivitis and patients with this discharge notice that it yellowish, thick and look like pus. When you wake up your eyes will be crusted together from this discharge. Other indication of conjunctivitis is burning or itching of the eye, continuous tearing, a scratchy feeling in the eye, swollen or red eye lids, hazy vision (due to the infection, tears, or puss).
What causes Conjunctivitis The most common cause is viruses or bacteria. Dry eyes or over exposure to wind and sun can also cause conjunctivitis. Tears have natural enzymes and antibiotics that help protect your eyes so lack of tears can cause this infection. Using extended wear contacts lenses (contacts that stay in your eyes for longer than 24 hours) also higher your risk for getting conjunctivitis, because the lenses hold bacteria in the lenses. Allergic reactions to cosmetics, pollen, chlorine in a swimming pool, or chemicals will also cause an infection that in terms causes pink eye.
Types of Conjunctivitis There are a few different types of conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is most common and is caused by adenoviruses, which are
What would you think if you woke up one morning and noticed your eye lids were stuck together? Sounds pretty disgusting or strange right? Actually its very common 1 out of 50 people a year will have this, its conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, also known as “Pink Eye” is swelling (inflammation) or infection of the membrane lining the eyelids. Pink Eye is highly contagious and is most common in children, especially children who attend day care or the first few years of school. Not only children can get this infection, infants, adults, elderly, and even dogs can get conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis The most common symptom for conjunctivitis is redness of the eyes. Blurred vision and sensitivity to light are also signs of the infection. As the infection gets worse the symptoms increase. A discharge is very common with conjunctivitis and patients with this discharge notice that it yellowish, thick and look like pus. When you wake up your eyes will be crusted together from this discharge. Other indication of conjunctivitis is burning or itching of the eye, continuous tearing, a scratchy feeling in the eye, swollen or red eye lids, hazy vision (due to the infection, tears, or puss).
What causes Conjunctivitis The most common cause is viruses or bacteria. Dry eyes or over exposure to wind and sun can also cause conjunctivitis. Tears have natural enzymes and antibiotics that help protect your eyes so lack of tears can cause this infection. Using extended wear contacts lenses (contacts that stay in your eyes for longer than 24 hours) also higher your risk for getting conjunctivitis, because the lenses hold bacteria in the lenses. Allergic reactions to cosmetics, pollen, chlorine in a swimming pool, or chemicals will also cause an infection that in terms causes pink eye.
Types of Conjunctivitis There are a few different types of conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is most common and is caused by adenoviruses, which are