Did you know that children miss over 3 million days of school every year due to conjunctivitis? Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyes. When the small blood vessels become inflamed, they are more visible, resulting in the reddish or pink tint you see in the eyes.
Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an allergic reaction, or exposure to an irritant such as smoke or dust. Because it can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to curbing its spread.
symptoms
The most common symptoms include:
â— Redness or swelling
â— Itching, irritation, or burning
â— Grittiness or excessive tearing
â— Crusting of the eyelids or eyelashes
â— Intense eye redness
â— Sensitivity to light or blurred vision
When to the doctor
Pink eyes are no joke and can spread quickly if not cared for properly. If you or your children experience any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you have a weak immune system or a pre-existing eye condition, this can cause these to get worse.
prevention and protection
To prevent and further protect yourself from conjunctivitis, follow these steps:
â— Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you come into contact with pink eye, wash your hands extra well and help your children do the same.
â— Infection can enter the body through the nose and mouth. Avoid sharing personal items such as makeup, towels, eye drops, contact lenses, etc.
â— Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. This could worsen the condition and, in some cases, help it spread to the other eye.
â— Always clean, store and replace your contact lenses as directed by your optometrist.
â— If your child has conjunctivitis, keep them away from school and extracurricular activities until the redness is completely gone. This can help ensure your child doesn’t carry it over to the entire class.
contact lenses and conjunctivitis
If you wear contact lenses and are diagnosed with conjunctivitis, you should take the following steps:
â— Remove contact lenses and wear your glasses until condition resolves.
â— Throw away the disposable lenses you were wearing when you were diagnosed with conjunctivitis.
â— If you do not have disposable lenses, disinfect them before wearing them again.
Thoroughly clean your lens case and you should consider replacing it.
Thanks to Ted Mosbii