Are you worried that you may have pink eye? The Elmhurst, IL, eye doctors at Skowron Eye Care discuss the condition and share a few common signs.
 

What is pink eye?

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the layer of tissue that lines your eyelids and the whites of your eyes. About three million people in the U.S. develop pink eye every year, according to the National Eye Institute.
 

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

Pink eye symptoms include:

• Redness: Your eyes may look very red and bloodshot if you have pink eye. If you take a look at your eyelids, you might notice that they're also red.

• Tearing: You may need to constantly wipe your eyes due to increased tear production.

• Uncomfortable Sensations: When you have conjunctivitis, it may feel as if something's stuck in your eyelid, even though your eye looks perfectly fine. Your eyes may also burn or itch.

• Light Sensitivity: Light sensitivity is a common complaint in people who have pink eye. Both sunlight and indoor lighting may hurt your eyes and cause excessive tearing.

• Discharge: You may notice a stringy white, clear, green, or yellow discharge from your eyes if you have conjunctivitis. You may also wake up in the morning and discover that a thick crust has formed over your eyelids, making it difficult to open your eyes.

How did I get pink eye?

Your eyes may have become inflamed due to a viral or bacterial infection, or by exposure to an allergen or a substance that irritates your eyes. Up to 80 percent of acute pink eye cases are caused by a virus, according to a systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Despite the various causes of the condition, the symptoms are the same.
 

How is pink eye treated?

If your condition is caused by a virus, it will get better on its own. Until it does, you may want to use artificial tears to relieve burning and itching, wipe away discharge with a moistened cloth, and apply warm or cool compresses to your eyes. If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, you'll need a prescription for antibiotic eye drops. When pink eye is caused by allergens, we may recommend eye drops that contain antihistamines, decongestants, steroids or mast cell stabilizers during your visit to our Elmhurst office.

Whether you have pink eye or need an eye exam, the optometrists at Skowron Eye Care can help you care for your eyes. Call our Elmhurst, IL, office at (630) 834-6244 to schedule an appointment.