What is Conjunctivitis and Why Is Care Important?

 

In most situations, your doctor can diagnose pink eye by confirming your recent health history and symptoms and examining your eyes.

 

Seldom, your doctor might take a sample of the liquid that drains from your eye for laboratory analysis, called a culture. A culture could be needed if your symptoms are severe or if your doctor suspects a high-risk cause, such as:

 

  1. A serious bacterial infection.
  2. A foreign body in your eye.
  3. A sexually transmitted infection.

 

Treatment for Conjunctivitis

 

Pink eye treatment is most often focused on symptom relief. Your doctor might recommend:

 

  1. Using artificial tears.
  2. Applying cold or warm compresses several times daily.
  3. Clean your eyelids with a wet cloth.

 

If you wear contact lenses, you will be advised not to wear them until your treatment is complete. Your doctor will recommend that you throw out the soft contacts you have already worn.

 

Disinfect hard lenses overnight before you put them in. Ask your doctor if you should discard and replace your contact lens accessories, such as the lens case.

 

In most situations, you will not need antibiotic eye drops. Since conjunctivitis is usually viral, antibiotics will not help. They could even cause harm by reducing their effectiveness in the future or causing a reaction. The virus needs time to run its course, usually taking around 2 to 3 weeks.

 

Viral conjunctivitis usually begins in one eye and then infects the other eye in a few days. Your symptoms should gradually clear on their own.

 

Treatment for Allergic Conjunctivitis

 

If the irritation is allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor could prescribe one of many distinct types of eye drops for allergies. These might include medicines that help control allergic reactions, like antihistamines. Or your doctor could recommend medicines to help control inflammation, like decongestants, steroids, and anti-inflammatory drops.

 

Nonprescription versions of these medicines can also be effective. Ask your doctor about the best option for you.

 

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

 

To help you cope with the symptoms of pink eye until it goes away, try to:

 

Apply a compress to your eyes. A cool water compress will feel the most soothing. You could also use a warm compress if that feels better. If pink eye affects only one eye, do not touch both eyes with the same cloth. This will reduce the risk of spreading pink eye from one eye to the other.

 

Try eye drops. Non-prescription eye drops called artificial tears can relieve symptoms. Some eye drops contain antihistamines or other medicines that help with allergic conjunctivitis.

 

Stop wearing your contact lenses until your eyes feel better. How long you need to go without contact lenses depends on what is causing your conjunctivitis. Ask your doctor whether you should throw away your disposable contacts, including your cleaning solution and lens case. If your lenses are not disposable, clean them thoroughly before reusing them.

 

What to Expect from Your Doctor

 

Your doctor will have several questions. You may be asked:

 

  1. When did you begin experiencing your symptoms?
  2. Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  3. How severe are they?
  4. Does anything improve your symptoms?
  5. Does anything worsen your symptoms?
  6. Do your symptoms affect one eye or both?
  7. Do you use contact lenses?
  8. How do you clean your contact lenses?
  9. How often do you replace your storage case?
  10. Have you had close contact with anyone who has pink eye, a cold, or flu symptoms?

Related Article: Symptoms of Conjunctivitis