Pink Eye: All You Need to Know in 6 Photos

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a term describing a number of eye conditions that cause the inflammation of the conjunctiva. (The conjunctiva is a membrane that protects the eyelid and exposed portions of the sclera, or white of the eye.)

Pink eye is relatively common but unpleasant, causing 3 million school absences annually in the U.S., according to the American Journal of Infection Control. 

Pink eye is characterized by redness, itchiness, grittiness, discharge, and/or tearing in one or both of the eyes. Not all of these symptoms are always present, but the most common symptoms are redness and itchiness.

Both viruses and bacteria as well as allergies can cause pink eye. It can also be caused by foreign chemicals in the eye, foreign objects in the eye, or a clogged tear duct in infants. Pink eye is just the result of these causes rather than being a disease in and of itself.

Pink eye risk factors include being exposed to something you are allergic to, exposure to the viral or bacterial forms of conjunctivitis, or using contact lenses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common causes of pink eye include viruses, bacteria, allergies, and irritants.

Viral and bacterial forms of pink eye are quite contagious. They can be spread by an infected person’s fluids, generally through hand-to-eye contact. It is also possible to get pink eye from surfaces that commonly come into contact with other people’s eyes, such as wash cloths, pillowcases, and handkerchiefs.

As its name implies, pink eye is often characterized by redness of the sclera, the white region of the eye. The cause of a particular case of pink eye can also determine its visible symptoms. Bacterial pink conjunctivitis is often accompanied by pus, while watery mucous is a common trait of viral conjunctivitis.

Pink eye can be prevented by practicing good hygiene and reducing contact between eyes and hands or other surfaces. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid sharing items that commonly come in contact with others’ eyes, such as wash cloths, makeup, and pillowcases.

Most cases of pink eye will simply improve on their own, although some forms of the condition could require medical attention. Serious cases of viral conjunctivitis may require antiviral medications. Bacterial conjunctivitis can improve on its own, but your doctor may choose to prescribe antibacterial eye drops or ointment to speed up recovery. Allergic conjunctivitis often clears up when the allergen in question is removed. Irritant conjunctivitis is frequently treated by gently washing affected eyes with water. 

If you experience pink eye on a regular basis, it could be considered chronic. The best way to treat this is to talk to your doctor about possible lifestyle changes you could make to prevent it occurring again. One solution could be to stop wearing contact lenses, or limit using the contact lenses to limit the exposure of foreign objects to your eye.