5 SERIOUS SIGNS OF PINK EYE TO LOOK OUT FOR

Have you ever seen someone with red eyes or pinkish eyes? Odds are, they must have had conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, which is commonly known as pink eye, occurs when your conjunctiva is inflamed.

Your conjunctiva is a thin layer of tissue that is located in the white section of your eye. You can also find it in the lines inside of your eyelids.

More importantly, you can detect it’s inflammation before it gets worse. In fact, there are a couple of serious signs of pink eye that you can look out for.

Pink eye is very common and If you’ve never experienced pink eye then you’re one of the lucky few. In fact, according to an article by the National Eye Institute, around 3 million americans get pink eye every year.

Although pink eye doesn’t cause any serious vision damage, the main issue comes from the fact that it is very contagious.

So if you want to avoid spreading this eye problem, you should get it checked and treated right away.

Additionally, if you want to avoid getting pink eye, you should start by finding out the top serious signs of pink eye.

Causes of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

If you’ve heard of pink eye, you should already be aware that it’s very contagious and can easily spread from person to person.

Although this condition does not normally lead to any permanent damage, it can still cause a lot of discomfort and problems.

Aside from knowing the signs of pink eye, you should first understand why it occurs. And for that reason, here are the main causes for pink eye.

Virus

When you get pink eye from a virus, it is called viral conjunctivitis. Similar to catching a cold, you can very easily infect other people with your viral pink eye.

For viral conjunctivitis, the common signs of pink eye in this form is having watery eyes.

Your eyes will tear up and release some watery discharge. This normally starts with one eye and will eventually contaminate your other eye.

However, you shouldn’t be too worried because this normally disappears after a couple of days.

In fact, viral pink eye can clear up without any medical intervention. Although, if you have viral pink eye, you should stay at home to avoid contaminating other people.

You should also take note that this is the most common and contagious form of pink eye.

Allergy

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when stuff like dust and pollen irritates your eyes. This normally starts with an itchy sensation in your eyes.

Your eyes will also look more red as the irritation continues. In addition, your nose may also feel runny and itchy.

Read this article if you love staring at phones and screens: HOW DIGITAL DEVICES ARE THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR EYE STRAIN.

Depending on the type of allergen, this kind of pink eye can either be seasonal or present throughout the year.

So if you have allergies, make sure to avoid areas with lots of pollen and dust. 

Bacteria

Bacterial conjunctivitis happens when bacteria irritates your eyes. You can identify bacterial pink eye from the mucus or pus that your eyes secrete.

Additionally, this type of pink eye is more problematic compared to allergic or viral conjunctivitis because it can potentially lead to severe problems.

If you don’t have it checked and treated, bacterial pink eye can cause damage to your eyes that may be irreversible depending on the severity.

That’s why it’s very important for you to identify the signs of pink eye.

Irritation

Other causes of pink eye are irritation from free-roaming particles, eye drops, chemicals, fungi, parasites, and many more.

Basically, pink eye can occur when foreign objects reach your eye and cause some type of inflammation.

Symptoms and Signs of Pink Eye

Like any other type of illness, there are symptoms and signs of pink eye that can help you prevent it from getting worse.

Although pink eye may have different forms and causes, the symptoms are generally similar in nature.

Read on and learn about the warning signs of pink eye.

1. The white part of your eye turns red

One of the most obvious signs of pink eye is the reddening of the white part of your eye. The redness can also be visible in your inner eyelid.

There are many reasons for your eyes to turn red such as crying, lack of sleep, or mild irritation.

However, the redness of having pink eye is more prominent and lasts longer.

You’ll also notice other symptoms like swelling, itching, and soreness of your eye.

2. Your eye swells up and releases fluids

Aside from red eyes, you’ll also notice that your eyes will swell up. It will become more defined and noticeable as the pink eye progresses.

Additionally, you will also tear up as the swelling of your eyes is usually accompanied by the release of fluids.

The fluids that your eyes release will also depend on the cause and status of your conjunctivitis.

Yellow Discharge

The most common type of discharge is yellowish and thick in consistency. This type of discharge tend to build up and form crusts around your eyelashes when you’re asleep.

As a result, your eyes have a tendency to be sealed shut when you wake up.

But don’t worry, you can easily clean off the crusts by wiping it with a clean cloth that has been soaked in luke-warm water.

Green Discharge

Aside from the yellowish discharge, you may also notice green or white fluids that come out of your eyes.

This is similar to your yellow discharge which you can easily wipe off with a clean damp cloth.

However, you should avoid from wiping your eyes too much as it may cause more irritation.

Once you notice the signs of pink eye, you should avoid messing with your eyes.

3. You’ll feel pain and discomfort in your eyes

The main problem with pink eye is the discomfort that you feel. Aside from swollen, sticky, and wet eyes, you’ll also feel a lot of irritating sensation.

Normally, your eyes are going to feel very itchy, which will tempt you excessively rub them, which you should refrain from doing because it will only make it worse. 

Read this article if you suffer from dry eyes: Causes of Dry Eyes and Ways to Get Rid of It.

You may also feel like your eyes are burning which can cause some pain and discomfort. In fact, your eyes feel so sensitive that blinking can even feel uncomfortable.

However, you should remember that conjunctivitis eventually disappears so you should simply refrain from touching your eyes too much.

4. Your vision gets blurry

When you have pink eye, you will also notice that your vision will be a little bit blurrier than usual.

This is due to the swelling of your eyes and the irritation that comes with it. Additionally, the fluids that your eyes secrete also makes it harder for your eyes to produce a clear vision.

So if you have conjunctivitis, avoid doing activities that require a high level of vision.

In fact, it would be best if you stay indoors and rest your eyes until they feel much better.

This will help you minimize the signs of pink eye and the discomfort that they bring. 

5. You’ll be more sensitive to light

Finally, we’re down to the last of the signs of pink eye. With conjunctivitis, you may also notice that your eyes will be a little more sensitive to lights.

Because your eyes are not in the best shape, looking at bright screens from television, cellphones, and other devices may cause eye strain.

So remember to keep your lights mildly dim and avoid any bright sources of light.

Read this article to prevent eye strain: These Tings Can Help You Prevent Eye Strain.

How do you prevent pink eye?

Pink eye normally disappears without the need for medical treatment, so you should be more focused on preventive measures.

However, you should take note that there are a few exceptions. According to an NCBI study, conjunctivitis that is caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea for people who wear contact lenses need antibiotics for treatment.

Additionally, anti allergy medication can also help alleviate allergy related conjunctivitis.

Read this article to prevent contact lens related infections: PREVENT EYE INFECTION AS YOU KEEP YOUR CONTACT LENSES CLEAN.

Now that you know more about the signs of pink eye, you can easily detect it before it gets worse.

Additionally, prevention is always better than cure. And with a condition that’s as contagious as conjunctivitis, you should definitely learn about the best preventive measures.

Good Hygienic Habits

The first and best way to prevent pink eye, or any illness, is to practice good hygiene habits.

You can start by keeping your hands clean and washing them with soap every now and then.

It is particularly important that you wash your hands before you touch or do anything with your eyes.

Read this article to improve your eye-care habits: GOOD HABITS TO PRESERVE YOUR EYESIGHT OVER TIME.

Use Clean Washcloths

You should always make sure that your stuff are clean especially your towels and washcloths.

Remember, you can use these items to wipe your body, even your eyes. So if your cloth is dirty, it will do more harm than good.

Additionally, you should never share your towels and washcloths with other people. this is to avoid any sharing of illness that you or your friend might not be aware of.

Finally, make sure to wash your clothes daily to reduce the risk of dirt build up.

Keep Your Room Clean

Whether you’re awake or asleep, you spend a lot of time in your room. So you are more susceptible to eye irritation if your room is dirty.

Make sure to wipe the dust off of your windows, tables, desks, chairs, and other items.

Change your pillowcase and bed sheets regularly. And finally, don’t bring any dirty objects inside your room.

Follow Good Cosmetic Habits

If you use eye cosmetics, make sure that you follow the right procedures. Always read the labels of you products and throw them away if their quality is compromised.

In addition, stick to your own products and don’t share your cosmetics with anyone else.

Remember, pink eye is very contagious, and even if you don’t have the signs of pink eye, you might get it from other people. 

When do you see an eye doctor?

Pink eye is generally more inconvenient than harmful. However, there are rare occasions when a simple illness can turn into a severe problem.

So when you notice any of the signs of pink eye, make sure to call a doctor.

• When your eyes secrete large amounts of yellow or green discharge. You should call a doctor when your eyelids are stuck together after you sleep.
  
  This means that there are too many liquids that have solidified on your eyelids while you were asleep.
  
• Go to a doctor when it is painful for your eyes to look at bright lights.
  
• When your vision is blurry and you feel your eyes are swollen.
  
• Get immediate help if your signs of pink eye include fever, shaking, facial pain, and vision loss.
  
  Although this is very unlikely, you should be mindful just in case your pink eye leads to a more serious complication.

Conclusion

Although pink eye does not cause any long-term eye damage, it is still very contagious.

Additionally, the discomfort that it brings can be very unpleasant. As a result, it is very important to avoid spreading the contamination of pink eye.

So as soon as you notice any of the signs of pink eye, you should follow the correct guidelines. Wash your hands with soap, gently wash your eyes with a clean damp cloth, and then call a doctor.

You should also avoid going to public areas especially schools and offices. Finally, you should maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle that can help reduce the risks of any eye complications.

Your vision is very important, so you should take good care of your eyes.

References:

Facts About Pink Eye

https://nei.nih.gov/health/pinkeye/pink_facts

Conjunctivitis: A systematic Review of Diagnosis and Treatment

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049531

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