When you are turning pink for long know that it could be infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva.
It is a transparent membrane that covers the white part of your eye and the eyelids. When the blood vessels in this membrane are infected, they become more prominent and this is pink eye symptoms.
As you must have got an idea by now, any viral infection or bacteria causes your eyes to catch this disease. It also can be an allergic reaction. Babies are more vulnerable to catch it leaving them to great discomfort as it is a highly contagious infection.
The good news is, it does not affect your vision and the treatment can cure it quickly. Though the infection likes to complete its course, however, early diagnosis can limit the spread to others. Pinkeye is not the medical term, however, it is commonly used by laymen.
Enough with the introduction, let us now delve into the subject.
What are the pink eye symptoms?
There could be a lot more symptoms than these but the most common ones include;
- Your eyes will turn red and become itchy
- Discharge in the affected eye will make a hindrance to open it normally when you wake up
- You will feel sandy in your eyes as something is grinding your eyes
- More tears than you usually have
- The conjunctiva swells up
What are the causes of conjunctivitis
A lot could be there to blame conjunctivitis but the major causes are following.
a) Viruses and Irritants
It could be any kind of microbes, fungi, amoebas, parasites, and bacteria even those that cause the common cold. While taking shower if you get even a little particle of shampoo in your eyes, it can also lead to pink eyes.
Other than these, reaction to eye drops, dirt, pool chlorine, or even pollen or smoke can lead to this disease.
b) Sexually Transmitted Disease
Any kind of sexually transmitted disease like Gonorrhea can cause conjunctivitis. It is mostly a dangerous form of it that can make you lose your vision if you don’t treat it on time. Another sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia, can lead to this disease. If you are pregnant and have any of these two diseases or any other kind of microbes in your body, your baby can be born with a pink eye problem.
Types of Pinkeyes
There aren’t many types of pinkeyes but let’s explore the frequent ones.
a) Allergic types of the conjunctiva
This type of pink eye is caused by tearing, itching, and runny nose. You may also have redness in both eyes in this type.
b) Bacterial strains
Mucus will develop in one or both eyes. This is not the normal kind of saliva we all have in mild ratio.
c) Giant papillary
Longterm use of wearing eye lenses, or in case you have an artificial eye, can be a reason for giant papillary. Medical experts, in most cases, refer to it as only an allergic reaction to a virus in your eyes.
d) Ophthalmia neonatorum
Newborn babies are the most common targets of this type of pink eye disease. A number of times, a dangerous foreign bacteria attacks the eye having a powerful potential to cause blindness forever. It can be treated if diagnosed on time.
When should you visit a doctor for pink eye symptoms
You may never assume even a light redness in your eyes is something to take for granted let alone a severe symptom. Or whenever you feel your eyes are gritty and you can no longer see as clearly as before, you should get an appointment.
Blurred visions and becoming sensitive to light is also a great sign you may start thinking of booking an appointment with an eye doctor. Top on that, if you are a person who wears contact lenses regularly, rush for urgent care.
Do not forget, we only want you to have the information before something happens, otherwise, you should always get professional help if you have pink eye symptoms.