All is not rosy if you are suffering from ‘pink eye’ which indicates that your eye is inflamed. The cause of your eyes appearing pink may be a virus (often quite contagious), allergies, or bacteria. Also referred to as conjunctivitis, pink eye occurs in case the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface, swells and becomes red and swollen. The inflammation makes blood vessels more visible and gives the eye a pink or reddish color.
This common and treatable eye condition in children and adults may also be caused due to dry eyes from lack of tears or exposure to wind, sun chemicals, fumes, or smoke (chemical conjunctivitis).
If you see the pink hue appear in your usually clear lining of the eye, consult our team of ophthalmologists at Vista Eye Specialists, VA who will determine the cause of your pink or red eye and prescribe appropriate medicine and treatment for a speedy recovery.
The most common cause of pink eye is a viral infection or allergies. Viral and bacterial pinkeye are contagious and spread very easily especially due to lack of washing ones hands thoroughly or sharing a washcloth or towel with an infected person.
Viral pinkeye is often caused by an adenovirus–a common respiratory virus or the herpes virus. The symptoms of viral pinkeye include redness in the white of the eye, swelling of the eyelids, itching or burning feeling of the eyelids, swelling in front of the ears, excessive tearing or clear to thick, whitish drainage. One might suffer from viral pinkeye for 5 to 7 days upto 3 weeks. Visit Vista Eye Specialists where our team of specialists will help ease your discomfort and tackle the disease to prevent the spread of the infection. The eye doctors at Vista Eye recommend that patients with pink eye should not wear contact lenses.
If pink eye is observed in newborn babies, visit the pediatric ophthalmologists at Vista Eye Specialists, Culpeper and Fredericksburg who will determine whether the condition is caused by an infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct in the infant.
Make an appointment at Vista Eye Specialists for any eye sight related queries.
