Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid, the conjunctiva, and eyeball that occurs due to viruses, bacteria, or allergens. It affects the white parts of the eye and the inner part of the eyelid. It is very contagious when caused by viruses or bacteria, with adenovirus being a common viral cause.
Though conjunctivitis can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort from the condition.
While not a form of conjunctivitis, another common eye infection is a stye, which is an infection that occurs when bacteria from the skin irritates the hair follicle of the eyelash, causing swelling and pain in the affected area. Eye infections can also be caused by injuries to the eye such as corneal scratches and from irritation due to chemicals in items such as makeup products.
Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
Conjunctivitis can be caused by several factors, common ones include:
Though Conjunctivitis can happen to anyone, you may be more at risk if:
Eye Exam
A healthcare provider can diagnose conjunctivitis through a physical eye examination, asking about symptoms, and in some cases, taking a swab of eye discharge for laboratory analysis to determine the cause.
