The inflammation of the conjunctive, often regarded as Pink Eye, is medically termed conjunctivitis. The Conjunctive is the transparent membrane lining your eyelid and eyeball. With this eye condition, eyes become swollen with sticky discharge. It should be brought to medical attention for optimal healing.
More commonly caused by a viral infection called adenovirus, conjunctivitis can also result from a varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, bacterial infection, or allergic reaction. Pink eye affecting your vision is rare. The infection tends to clear up in seven to fourteen days. You might consult the best eye specialist in Siliguri for comprehensive eye health care.
Identifying the Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
Symptoms of pink eye include:
- The white of your eye or inner eyelid becomes red (one or both eyes)
- Thick yellow discharge crusting over your eyelashes, more often after sleep (one or both eyes)
- Sensitivity to light
- Swollen eyelids
- Blurry vision
- Itchiness in both or one eye
- Increased tearing
- Green or white discharge from your eyes (both or one)
- Gritty feeling in one or both eyes
- Burning sensations due to chemicals and irritants
When to consider seeing your eye specialist
Many times, conjunctivitis goes away on its own without treatment within 7-14 days. If you have painful experiences or increased discomfort due to pink eye, be sure to consult an eye doctor near you. Medical attention helps you get better optimally. You might see the best ophthalmologist in Siliguri city.
Causes
Reasons for conjunctivitis or pink eye include:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Allergies
- A chemical splash or reaction to the eye
- Exposure to foreign objects in the eye
- A blocked tear duct in the newborn babies
- Autoimmune conditions
- Contact with irritants from contact lenses, shampoo, chemical products
Pink eye or conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or viruses is highly contagious, while pink eye caused by allergies isn’t contagious. Talk to the best eye specialist in Siliguri for conjunctivitis care and treatment.
Understanding the treatment and self-care for conjunctivitis
The primary goal of conjunctivitis treatment is to relieve its symptoms. Your eye doctor may recommend using artificial tears, timely application of cold or warm compress, cleaning the eyelids with a wet cloth, avoiding contact lenses, etc.
Make sure not to rub your eyes, or apply facial creams around your eyes until healed. Among food choices, omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods, green leafy veggies, carrots, vitamin-A-rich foods, etc. are good for your eye health.
If conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs prescription or over-the-counter eye drops, etc. Antiviral medications are for conjunctivitis caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Consult your eye health care expert to better understand the treatment and self-care regimen.
