Pink Eye

Technically called Conjunctivitis, Pink Eye is a condition featuring, of course, pinkish colored eyes. Pinkeye makes one look sick, and can be contagious.

What is Pink Eye? Pink Eye, or Conjunctivitis, is basically an inflammation of the conjunctiva, or transparent membrane surrounding the sclera, or white of the eye, resulting in an apparent redness. This condition is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections in the eyes, a symptom of an allergic reaction, or even an object in the eye, such as a contact lens, either soft or rigid, that the eyes finds intolerable or has exceeded an acceptable duration of time before replacement (contact lenses, especially corrective, ones, can be inserted on a daily schedule or can last up to 30 days). Pink Eye infections, such as Boric Acid Pink Eye, can burn an itch, especially if not treated right away.

How long is Pink Eye contagious? This isn’t definite, but it depends on the particular condition, cause, and level of severity. Regardless, however, visiting an eye doctor as soon as symptoms develop would be prudent.

Pink Eye symptoms, of course, are very apparent and identifiable. A pink-tinted eye, as said, is the most obvious of the symptoms of Pink Eye. Other symptoms include: itchiness, some swelling, drainage of mucous (sometimes greenish in color, as with Bacterial Conjunctivitis), excessive eye-watering (such as in the case of Viral Conjunctivitis), and the presence of red bumps inside the lower eyelid, which is indigenous to Giant Papilla Conjunctivitis (GPC), caused primarily by foreign objects in the eye.

Treatment for Pink Eye falls under two categories: avoidance and medication. In the first case, the best way to fight Pink Eye is not to get it in the first place, so avoidance is the key. In this particular “treatment,” Pink Eye can be avoided through consistent hand-washing, restraint from eye-rubbing, not sharing linen, eye drops, or cosmetics, keeping eyes away from others (especially in extremely contagious circumstances), discontinued use of any contact lens, and—in the case an infection does set in--either a warm or cold compress application, depending on necessity. Regarding medication, the second form of Pink Eye treatment, antibiotic eye drops will fight bacterial or viral infections, where antihistamine pills are called for to overcome allergic reactions. As for a cure for Pink Eye, remedy considerations are simple and almost always without complications.

Pink Eye has also known to show up in animals. Pink Eye in cattle, for example, is a common and prevalent experience in farm settings. Similar remedies are provided here, along with implementations designed to prevent the animals from further irritating their conditions. Consulting a veterinarian or very experience farmer will provide direction and answers here.

Whatever the case with Pink Eye, it can be very painful and very annoying if not treated. This type of visual condition might not lead to blindness, but it is serious and is a threat to healthy vision.