Understanding The Different Types Of Pinkeye
If you have developed pink, itchy eyes, then you have probably developed an eye condition known as conjunctivitis. The condition can be highly irritating, which is why many people run for over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops first. however, that doesn't usually help because conjunctivitis has different causes, including these four common ones:
Bacteria
Bacterial conjunctivitis accounts for about a third of infectious conjunctivitis in the country. The condition develops when bacteria attacks and inflames the transparent membrane that covers the surface of the eyes and the inner part of the eyelids. This membrane is known as conjunctiva, hence the term conjunctivitis.
Apart from swelling of the conjunctiva and redness of the eyes (which are common to all forms of conjunctivitis), another common symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis is copious discharge, which can be white, green or yellow, from the eyes. Antibiotic often helps with the condition.
Virus
Viruses can also cause conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis may accompany or maybe caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold and systematic viral infections. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis share some common symptoms, such as red and itchy eyes that produce a mucous discharge.
Just like many viral diseases, there is no treatment for viral conjunctivitis. If you are diagnosed with the condition, your best course of action is to follow your doctor's advice. In most cases, the treatment prescribed only offers relief of the symptoms as the disease runs its course.
Irritants
Anything that irritates the conjunctiva can cause pinkeye. Examples of irritants that you should be wary of include cigarettes smoke, chemicals, and dirt particles. For example, a dirty contact lens can easily give you pinkeye by irritating the lining of your eyes. Dealing with the irritation and reliving the conjunctivitis symptoms usually quells irritation conjunctivitis.
Allergens
An allergic attack on your eyes can also inflame the conjunctiva, and the result is pinkeye. Typical allergens include dirt, pollen, mold, and pet dander, among other allergens. Allergic conjunctiva may both be seasonal and perennial. Apart from relieving common conjunctivitis, treatment for allergic conjunctivitis will also involve allergy treatments such as the use of eye drops containing an antihistamine.
In short, not every red eye condition demands treatment by an OTC eye drop. You may be using antibacterial eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis, which doesn't help at all. Get a professional diagnosis from an eye doctor so that the underlying issue is resolved even as you get temporary relief from OTC drops.
Contact a group like Coastal Eye Group, PC to learn more.