Acute conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies and results in red or pink eyes, discharge, itching, and sensitivity to light. Treatment depends on the cause and may include antibiotics, antihistamines, or compresses. It is highly contagious and requires avoiding contact with others, throwing away cosmetics and contact lenses, and frequent hand washing.
Acute conjunctivitis occurs when the membrane surrounding the eyelids, the conjunctiva, becomes irritated or infected. The condition can be caused by bacteria or viruses. In some cases, it is caused by an allergic reaction. Acute conjunctivitis usually resolves after one course of treatment and lasts only a short time. Cases of chronic conjunctivitis may occur, but are less common.
When someone has acute conjunctivitis, the whites of their eyes typically turn red or pink. The condition is often called pink eye because the blood vessels in the whites swell enough to give the eye a pink color. Other symptoms of conjunctivitis include discharge from the eye that hardens and crusts over while a person sleeps. The discharge may be greenish yellow.
A person with acute conjunctivitis may have itchy eyes or may feel as if sand or dirt gets between the eyelid and the eyeball. Excessive tearing is another common symptom of pink eye. In some cases, eye inflammation can affect the cornea, causing blurry vision or sensitivity to light.
Treatment for acute conjunctivitis depends on its cause. Pinkeye caused by a bacterium can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or an ointment applied to the eyes. Some cases of bacterial conjunctivitis, such as those caused by gonorrhea, require oral medication for effective treatment. Pinkeye caused by a virus doesn’t respond to antibiotic drugs. Viral pink eye needs time to resolve on its own.
Conjunctivitis caused by allergies can be treated with antihistamine eye drops or by avoiding the allergen if possible. Some people find that applying a compress to the eyes soothes symptoms of allergens and viral pink eye. Over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears can also help soothe the irritation.
Acute conjunctivitis is very contagious when caused by bacteria or viruses, particularly among children. It’s important for someone with pink eye to avoid others by not going to work or school until her symptoms clear up or until her doctor says she’s no longer contagious. A person with pink eyes can prevent it from spreading by not touching their eyes and washing their hands frequently.
Any cosmetics used on infected eyes should be thrown away, as should contact lenses. A person with conjunctivitis should wear glasses rather than contact lenses for the duration of the infection. She should avoid sharing towels, eye makeup, and anything else that gets close to the eye.
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