Viral and Bacterial Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva.  The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white of the eye.  Conjunctivitis is also referred to as pink eye.

How does it occur?

Conjunctivitis can be caused by many things, including infection by viruses or bacteria.  Viruses that cause colds may lead to conjunctivitis.  Some bacteria that cause conjunctivitis are chlamydia, staphylococci, and streptococci.  Severe conjunctivitis can occasionally lead to blindness.

Viral forms of conjunctivitis can be spread easily to other people.  The same viruses that cause the common cold can cause viral conjunctivitis.  They can be spread by the same ways as the common cold: coughing, sneezing, or through contact with contaminated objects, including:

• hands
• washcloths or towels
• cosmetics
• false eyelashes
• soft contact lenses

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• itchy or scratchy eyes
• redness
• sensitivity to light
• swelling of eyelids
• matting of eyelashes
• watery or pus discharge

How is it diagnosed?

Our doctor will ask about your medical history and if you have been near someone who has conjunctivitis.  Our doctor will closely examine your eyes and check for enlarged lymph nodes near your ear and jaw.  The doctor may get lab tests of a sample of the discharge to see what types of germs are present.

How is it treated?

Like a cold, viral conjunctivitis will usually go away on its own without treatment.  However, our doctor may prescribe eye drops to help control your symptoms, or an antibiotic drop to help prevent a bacterial infection as well.  If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops.  You can also help to control your symptoms by washing them gently to remove any pus or crusts, then drying them gently with a clean towel.

For very severe forms of conjunctivitis, antibiotics may need to be given by mouth or with a shot or an IV (intravenous line).
If you wear contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them until your eyes are healed.  The combination of contacts and conjunctivitis may damage your cornea (the clear outer layer on the front of your eye) and cause severe vision problems.  The doctor may ask you to throw away your current contact lenses and case.

How long will the effects last?

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis are typically at their worst 5 to 7 days after the first symptoms begin, and usually improve from 10 days to 1 month.  If only one eye is affected at first, the other eye may become infected up to 2 weeks later.  Usually, if both eyes are affected, the first eye has worse conjunctivitis than the second.

Bacterial conjunctivitis should improve within 2 days after you begin using antibiotics.  If your eyes are not better after 3 days of antibiotics, call your doctor.

How can I prevent conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious.  To keep from getting conjunctivitis from someone who has it, or to keep from spreading it to others, follow these guidelines:

• Wash your hands often.  Do not touch or rub your eyes.
• Never share eye makeup or cosmetics with anyone.  When you have conjunctivitis, throw out eye makeup you have been using.
• Never use eye medicine that has been prescribed for someone else.
• Do not share towels, washcloths, pillows, or sheets with anyone.  If one of your eyes is affected but not the other, use a separate towel for each eye.
• Avoid swimming in swimming pools if you have conjunctivitis.
• Avoid close contact with people until your symptoms improve.  Depending on your job, you may be asked to take some time off from work.