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CONJUNCTIVITIS
WHAT IS CONJUNCTIVITIS
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Conjunctivitis – also called Pinkeye – is redness
and inflammation of the clear membranes
covering the whites of the eyes and the
membranes of the inner part of the eyelids.
CAUSES OF CONJUNCTIVITIS
Most cases of pinkeye are caused by:
Infections caused by viruses or bacteria.
 Dry eyes from lack of tears or exposure to wind
and sun.
 Chemicals, fumes, or smoke (chemical
conjunctivitis).
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SYMPTOMS OF CONJUNCTIVITIS
Common symptoms of pinkeye are:
 Eye redness (hyperemia).
 Swollen, red eyelids.
 More tearing than usual.
 Feeling as if something is in the eye (foreign-body
sensation or keratoconjunctivitis).
 An itching or burning feeling.
 Mild sensitivity to light (photophobia).
 Drainage from the eye.
TREATMENTS FOR CONJUNCTIVITIS
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Home treatment for pinkeye will help reduce your pain and
keep your eye free of drainage. If you wear contacts,
remove them and wear glasses until your symptoms have
gone away completely. Thoroughly clean your contacts and
storage case.
Cold compresses or warm compresses (whichever feels best)
can be used. If an allergy is the problem, a cool compress
may feel better. If the pinkeye is caused by an infection, a
warm, moist compress may soothe your eye and help
reduce redness and swelling. Warm, moist compresses can
spread infection from one eye to the other. Use a different
compress for each eye, and use a clean compress for each
application.
If the pinkeye is caused by bacteria, Prescription antibiotic
treatment usually kills the bacteria that cause pinkeye.
HOW TO PREVENT CONJUNCTIVITIS
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Pinkeye is spread through contact with the eye drainage, which contains the virus or
bacteria that caused the pinkeye. Touching an infected eye leaves drainage on your
hand. If you touch your other eye or an object when you have drainage on your hand,
the virus or bacteria can be spread.
The following tips help prevent the spread of pinkeye.
Wash your hands before and after:
 Touching the eyes or face.
 Using medicine in the eyes.
Do not share eye makeup.
Do not use eye makeup until the infection is fully cured, because you could reinfect
yourself with the eye makeup products. If your eye infection was caused by bacteria
or a virus, throw away your old makeup and buy new products.
Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
Do not wear contact lenses until the infection is cured. Thoroughly clean your
contacts before wearing them again.
Do not share eye medicine.
Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels, and
washcloths daily.
Wash your hands and wear gloves if you are looking into someone else's eye for a
foreign object or helping someone else apply an eye medicine.
Wear eye protection when in the wind, heat, or cold to prevent eye irritation.
Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals.
STATISTICS
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The Center for Disease estimates that over 15
million people are diagnosed with conjunctivitis/
pink eye every year in the United States.
There are probably many more cases that are
never diagnosed.
RESOURCES CITED
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WebMD http://www.webmd.com/eyehealth/tc/pinkeye-topic-overview
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/index.html
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