Pink eye, aka conjunctivitis, can range from a highly contagious eye condition to a mild symptom of seasonal allergies and dry eyes. A visit to Romanoff Optical/Vision can confirm if you have conjunctivitis. Our staff serves residents of Sylvania and Toledo, OH, and Monroe, Bedford, Temperance and Lambertville, MI. The following conjunctivitis FAQs provide more information about this condition.
What Exactly Is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of your eye, the clear, mucous membrane covering the white part of your eye and the interior of your eyelid. Conjunctivitis can be mild or severe. In severe cases, it can cause permanent damage to your eyes and vision.
What Causes This Pink Eye?
Conjunctivitis can be the result of a viral or bacterial infection of the conjunctiva of your eye. Allergies and chemical irritations can also cause conjunctivitis.
What Are the Diverse Types of Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis can be divided into three types: viral, bacterial, and allergic. Viral conjunctivitis often occurs in both eyes and may precede or follow a bad cold. Viral pink eye causes your eyes to burn and water.
Bacterial conjunctivitis causes pain, inflammation, discharge, and blurred vision. The discharge may form a crust over your eyes while you sleep, making it difficult to open your eyes in the morning.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by environmental allergens like mold, mildew, pollen, pet dander, and some types of cosmetics. Allergic pink eye can cause itchiness, watering, swelling, and redness. You may also experience nasal congestion or post-nasal drip with these symptoms.
Of the three, only bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious, spreading quickly by contact. If you’re having problems with your eyes, your best recourse is to see your ophthalmologist for a checkup. We’ll evaluate your condition and recommend options for treatment.
How Is Pink Eye Treated?
Your treatment depends on the type of pink eye you have. Symptoms of viral pink eye generally subside on their own. A cold, damp washcloth on your eyes can help alleviate symptoms until the condition passes.
Our ophthalmologist may recommend antibiotic drops or ointment to treat bacterial pink eye. Allergy medications can help clear up allergic conjunctivitis. It also helps to avoid contact with known allergens.
See Our Ophthalmologist in Sylvania for Conjunctivitis Treatment
If you suspect you may have pink eye, contact Romanoff Optical/Vision at (419) 885-5556 right away to confirm your condition. We diagnose and treat all manner of eye conditions, including dry eyes, eye allergies, cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. If you live in Sylvania or Toledo, OH, or Monroe, Bedford, Temperance, or Lambertville, MI, come to Romanoff Optical/Vision for all your eye care needs.
