| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Pink
Eye |
|
Medical Term:
|
Conjunctivitis |
| Description: |
Inflammation of the mucosal lining (underside) of the
eyelids and the white of the eyes. Discharge may or may not
be present.
More commonly seen in children.
It may be infectious or non-infectious.
|
| Causes: |
Bacterial
Viral
Allergic
Autoimmune
Chemical or irritative
Rickettsial, fungal,
parasitic, tuberculosis, syphilis, Kawasaki disease
Thyroid disease, gout,
carcinoid, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, Stevens-Johnson
syndrome, Reiter's syndrome. |
| Prevention: |
Wash hands frequently. Avoid infections. |
| Signs
& Symptoms |
|
| May affect one or both eyes. |
| * Redness. |
| * Burning and/or gritty feeling in the
eye. |
| * Increased tearing. |
| * Green or yellow discharge from the
eyes, usually with bacterial infection. |
| * Crusting causing eyelid to stick
together (after sleeping). |
| * Intense itching (in allergic conjunctivitis),
often with swelling of eye membranes. |
| * In some cases, sensitivity to light. |
|
|
| Risk Factors |
| Newborns of mothers who are carriers of
gonorrhea or chlamydia. |
| Crowded or unsanitary living conditions. |
| Exposure to others in public places, such as
day care centers and public schools. |
Exposure and contact with persons
with acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
|
This is diagnosed clinically.
In
complex cases, cultures and antibody testing may be
performed.
|
| General
Measures: |
|
| Use warm-water soaks or cold water to
reduce discomfort. |
| Apply warm wash-cloths to the eyes
when stuck together with discharge. |
| Don't use eye makeup. |
| Do not wear contact lenses until the
infection is completely resolved. |
| Never use eye drops prescribed for
someone else, or prescribed at another time for you |
|
|
| Medications: |
|
Treatment is dependent upon the cause.
Antibiotic drops for bacterial infections
Antiviral drops for viral infections
The underlying cause must be treated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Chronic conjunctivitis
Conjunctival scar if
membrane developed
Corneal ulcer or
perforation
Rare portal of entry for
meningococcus
Corneal scars with
herpes simplex
Bacterial superinfection |
|
| Prognosis |
|
Excellent, with proper treatment.
|
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