What is conjunctivitis

People often call conjunctivitis "pink eye" because it can cause the white of the eye to turn pink or red. Symptoms of pink eye can vary but typically include redness or swelling of the white of the eye or eyelid. The swelling makes blood vessels more visible.

Who is at risk

Anyone can get pink eye. 

Causes

The most common causes of pink eye include: 

• Viruses

• Bacteria

• Allergens

• (Irritants - such as chemicals, contact lens wear, or foreign bodies in the eye-like a loose eyelash.)

How it spreads

Pink eye caused by viruses and bacteria can easily spread from person to person in different ways.

You can get pink eye from:

• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

• Contact with droplets from the air after an infected coughs or sneezes.

• Touching objects and surfaces with germs on them, then touching your eyes before washing your hands.

Prevention

Viral and bacterial pink eye are very contagious, meaning they can spread easily from person to person.

You can prevent getting pink eye or spreading it to someone else by practicing good hygiene.

Signs and symptoms

Some common signs of pink eye in one or both eyes include:

• Pink or red color in the white of the eye from visible blood vessels

• Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning

• Watery, teary eyes

• Eye discharge (pus or mucus) that may be clear, yellow, white, or green

• Itching, irritation, burning of the eye

• Feeling like something is in the eye or an urge to rub the eye

• Swelling of the eyelids or thin layer that lines the white of the eye

• Contact lenses feel uncomfortable or do not stay in place on the eye

Treatment and recovery

Treatment options for pink eye depend on what is causing it. Some types of pink eye can be managed at home without medical treatment. However, there are times when you should seek medical care.

When to return to school or work

You should not return/attend if you still have symptoms, and if your work or school activities involve close contact with others.

(If you don't have fever or other symptoms, you *may be allowed to return *with your doctor's approval.)

Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention