17/06/2017
Red Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Red Eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they're more visible. This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink.
Red eye can be irritating, but it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of red eye. Because red eye can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread.
Symptoms
Red eye may affect one or both eyes. Its signs and symptoms include:
• Redness
• Itchiness
• A gritty feeling
• A discharge that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning
• Tearing
Causes of red eye include:
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Allergies
Viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis may affect one or both eyes. Viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis often produces a thicker, yellow-green discharge.
Both viral and bacterial types are very contagious. They are spread through direct or indirect contact with the eye secretions of someone who's infected.
Adults and children alike can develop both of these types of red eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children than it is in adults.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you notice any signs or symptoms you think might be red eye.
