The 411 Behind Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an eye infection that can be caused by allergies, a virus, bacteria, or overly dry eyes. Notorious for how contagious it is, if you think either you or a loved one have it, stay home and contact Millennium Park Eye Center right away.

What Are the Symptoms?
Most commonly, people who have pink eye will wake up with red eyes and a type of goop around the outer edges. Sometimes, patients complain that their eyes have so much goop that their eyes are sealed shut. Additionally, some patients complain that their eyes are sore, tender to the touch, and even itch.

Treatment Options
Depending on the type of pink eye you have will help indicate what kind of treatment you undergo.

• Viral Pink Eye: Pink eye that is caused by a viral infection is very contagious and isn’t usually treated with any medication, but it should subside in a day or two.
• Bacterial Pinkeye: This form of pink eye is extremely contagious and is typically caused by people not washing their hands. Treated with an antibiotic, bacterial pink
• Allergies: If you have allergies, you can sometimes develop conjunctivitis. To handle this type of pink eye, you can use an eyedrop that has an antihistamine in it.
• Dry Eye: Dry eye can easily be treated with over-the-counter eye drops that will help to moisturize them.

Pink eye gets a bad wrap and is typically associated with people who lack proper hygiene. However, pinkeye can be caused by a variety of things including allergies and dry eye. If you think you have pink eye but aren’t sure what the cause is, contact the experts at Millennium Park Eye Center.