Friday , March 29 2024

Red Eye vs Pink Eye – Do you know the difference?

Red Eye vs Pink EyeEye infections, commonly referred to as “red eye” or “pink eye,” can be elusive. You may not know what is causing the infection or how best to treat it. There are a myriad of reasons one can get a red, irritated eye. Some of these reasons can lead to permanent vision damage if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.
TYPES OF PINK EYE
Pink eye is the common name for an eye condition called conjunctivitis. Pink eye is inflammation and irritation of the conjunctiva part of the eye. The conjunctiva is a thin membrane that covers the white part of the eyes and the eyelids. The purpose of the conjunctiva is to keep the surface of your eyes moist and protected. Usually, the tiny blood vessels contained within the conjunctiva are very difficult to see. However, conjunctivitis causes these blood vessels to expand and turn the white parts of the eyes red. Pink eye can develop in one or both eyes. There are three primary types of pink eye, or conjunctivitis:
Viral Conjunctivitis
This is the most common type of pink eye and is highly contagious. The virus associated with viral conjunctivitis is the same virus that causes symptoms of a runny nose, sore throat and watery eyes that are prevalent with colds and flu.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
This type of pink eye is caused by bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus and is contagious. Bacterial conjunctivitis causes one or both eye to become red and may discharge mucus. Antibiotic eye drops are typically used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
This type of conjunctivitis is caused by something that triggers an allergic reaction such as pollen or an irritant like smoke or fumes. Unlike other types of pink eye, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. This form of pink eye is characterized by redness, burning, itching, tearing and swollen eyelids. Antihistamines are often used to treat this type of conjunctivitis.
How Do You Get Pink Eye?
As outlined above, viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. Pink eye can be contracted in a variety of ways including:
• Failure to wash hands frequently. Then touching or rubbing eyes.
• Use of a hand towel that has been used by somebody who has pink eye.
• Use of cosmetics after they have been used by someone with pink eye.
• Failure to clean contact lenses properly. Children are particularly susceptible to pink eye given their close contact with other children in school, sports and other activities.
RED, IRRITATED EYE
Red eye is a very general term that not only includes pink eye, but a wide variety of other eye conditions that cause redness in and around the eyes as well.
While pink eye is a leading cause of red eye, other common causes of red eye include such things as: • Foreign objects in the eye. • Injuries to the eye.
• Dry eyes or lack of tears.
• Infections in or around the eyes.
Visit Your Eye Doctor
Regardless of whether the eye condition is pink eye or red eye, a visit to your eye doctor for proper diagnosis, treatment and guidance. The best way to protect your eye is to visit an eye doctor when your eye is red, irritated and/or vision is reduced. Proper equipment and professional knowledge of your eye care practitioner will lead to faster treatment and relief. Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for years.
www.eyesite-thevillages.com
eyesite
2909 Traverse Trail, Grand Travers Plaza (Adjacent to Brownwood in the Publix Plaza)
(352) 674-EYES (3937)
EyeSite of The Villages
2909 Traverse Trail
(West of Brownwood – Golf Cart Accessible)
The Villages,FL 32163
(352) 674-EYES (3937)
www.eyesite-thevillages.com
At our eye care & vision center near Brownwood in The Villages, we provide complete medical eye exams by a Florida Board Certified Optometrist, designer high fashion mens and womens Eyeglasses and Eyewear, top-quality trendy Polarized Sunglasses and state-of-the-art technology to provide ocular disease management and eyecare consultation with personalized service being our #1 priority. Call us for an eye exam appointment today at our office.(352) 674 – 3937

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