As pink eye is such a prevalent eye problem affecting people from all ages, hence one would obviously be curious to know in detail ‘what is pink eye’.
Query: What is Pink eye?
A lucid elucidation to the question ‘what is pink eye’ is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva (fine translucent membrane covering the eyeball and interior surface of eyelids) mostly because of some form of allergic reaction or infection (viral at times bacterial).
Pink eye is also known as ‘conjunctivitis’ or ‘Madras eye’ causes reddishness, itchiness and eye discharge.
Conjunctiva is made up of several tiny blood vessels and helps in lubricating and protecting the eye when the eye is moving within the socket.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, mostly known as pink eye, classically is causal to eyelids swell up and a yellow coloured discharge being emitted from the eye. At times, it could cause scratchiness and even eyelids getting matted. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly communicable and transmission generally occurs when one rubs the eye and then infects commonly used items (towel or handkerchief). It is quite prevalent to see complete families contracting pink eye.
Conjunctivitis Symptoms:
- Reddish, teary eyes.
- Eye lid inflammation.
- Blurry eye sight and a gritty (alike sand lodged in eyes) or itchy sensation in eyes.
- Pus-similar or watery eye emission in the eyelid area.
- Eyelids get matted.
Pink eye Prevention:
Particular precautionary measures could be adopted for avoiding this eye disease and halting its transmission. Meticulous cleansing of hands, using disinfected towels or hankies and steering clear from infectious people would vastly help in preventing pink eye. Kids often contract pink eye due to their inadequate sanitation.
Following steps are to be followed in case you or any person in close proximity to you has contracted pink eye.
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On every instant one touches the eyes or facial area, inclusive of when one uses medications in the eyes; hands have to be always scrupulously washed. - Washing any clothes that have come in contact with the infected eyes inclusive of clothing, towel and cushion/pillow covers.
- Avoid sharing any cosmetics. In case the infection has developed due to bacterial or viral form then one must immediately dispose-off those cosmetics and in place purchase new ones.
- Avoid touching the infected eye as it could only aggravate the situation by transmitting the disease to the other normal eye as well.
Pink eye Diagnosis & Treatment:
Following confirmation by an ophthalmologist about the presence of pink eye, one would be advised antibiotics eye drop medicines and application of compresses for assuaging discomforting sensations and clearing the infection that usually occurs in a span of a couple of days. At times, the inflammation fails in responding properly to the preliminary treatment of eye drops. In such atypical scenarios, another trip to the eye doctor would become necessary.
In case there is acute eye infection, then orally taken antibiotic course could be prescribed for treating it. In case the eye infection is not treated then pink eye could lead to grave complications like infections affecting corneal, eyelid and tear duct areas.
