Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the thin conjunctiva membrane covering the whites of the eye and the inner part of the eyelid. Understanding this eye condition is important to prevent spread and complications.
Durban-based general practitioner Dr Nishen Gounder explains all your family needs to know about pink eye.
what causes it?
“Pink eye can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an allergic reaction or environmental irritation,” Dr Gounder says. “These can cause the delicate eye membrane to become red and inflamed, resulting in discomfort, including itching, pain, swelling, fluid discharge and a scratchy or gritty feeling, as if there is sand in the eye.
“Conjunctivitis can be either viral or bacterial – both are highly contagious and easily spread in communities or schools through close contact and hand contamination. Pink eye spreads through contact with infected secretions from the eye, and often the second eye becomes infected within 24 to 48 hours.”
viral pink eye
Viral pink eye can be caused by various viruses, including the virus that causes the common cold symptoms. “Many people will have mild symptoms that will settle without intervention within a week or two without additional treatment. The redness, irritation and tearing usually settle first, but one may experience some morning crusting of the eyes for a little longer,” Dr Gounder says.
If you uses contact lenses, it is strongly advised to see your GP if you notice symptoms to exclude other possible serious causes, such as infection of the cornea.
bacterial pink eye
“While not as contagious as viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis is still highly contagious. However, the symptoms differ from those of viral infection, with a yellow, white or green discharge common throughout the day. In the morning, one will wake with the eye ‘stuck shut’ with a crust of dried discharge. An antibiotic in the form of drops or ointment, as prescribed by a GP, is needed to treat this condition effectively,” Dr Gounder explains.
other serious symptoms that need immediate medical attention
- Pain and tenderness of the eye
- Vision disturbances
- Sensitivity to light or difficulty keeping the eye(s) open
- Other symptoms such as severe headache with nausea.
Read our tips on how to avoid eye strain.
ten top tips for preventing and treating pink eye
- If you suspect you or your child have conjunctivitis, visit your general practitioner and seek their guidance on treating the condition.
- Make sure your doctor provides a sick note while you wait for the pink eye discharge to stop, usually after 24 hours of antibacterial treatment.
- To protect yourself against pink eye infection, maintain strict hygiene practices. Handwashing with soap or alcohol-based sanitising is an effective way to keep you and your loved ones safe from pink eye and other infectious illnesses.
- Where possible, avoid contact with people who have conjunctivitis. Avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands, sharing pens, phones, touchscreens and makeup.
- If you’re exposed to someone with pink eye, wash your hands often with soap and water and change your bedlinen daily. Don’t share facecloths, towels, or pillows.
- Stop using contact lenses as soon as you suspect you have conjunctivitis.
- Seek medical advice immediately if you experience severe pain, a change in your vision, any sign of pus or if you notice intense redness in your eyes.
- Immunocompromised patients, such as those on cancer treatment or biological agents and those living with HIV and diabetes, should seek advice from their treating doctor as early as possible.
- If you are diagnosed with pink eye, wash your hands often and do your best to prevent infecting those around you at home.
- Babies and young children must see a doctor as soon as symptoms of the condition are noticed.