Pinkeye
- Pinkeye Overview
- Pinkeye Causes
- Pinkeye Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Questions to Ask the Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Pinkeye Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Pinkeye - Length Symptoms Lasted
What to Do if You Think You Have Pinkeye
Medical Author: Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Every day, I, as an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in
medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases) receive at least one telephone
call from a patient who says, "I think I have pinkeye." When I ask him or her
what the symptoms are, he usually will tell me that one or both eyes are red,
tearing, itching, and uncomfortable. I will then ask him to come in for an
examination that day.
Pinkeye is a nonmedical term which is commonly used by patients to describe conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the transparent covering of the white of the eye and inside of the eyelids). I consider pinkeye as synonymous with viral conjunctivitis, an infection caused by a variety of viruses in the eye.
Pinkeye Overview
Pinkeye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost transparent covering of the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids) in the eye. This inflammation may lead to redness, tearing, discharge, itching, and pain. Pinkeye is also called conjunctivitis.
Pinkeye Causes
Pinkeye is a nonmedical term that encompasses several medical causes of conjunctivitis.
Most ophthalmologists (physicians who specialize in medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases) consider the term pinkeye to refer to viral conjunctivitis, an infection caused by a variety of viruses.
Other causes of conjunctivitis include bacterial infection, allergic reactions, chemical or irritant exposures, and ocular drying or irritation.
Next: Pinkeye Symptoms »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Pinkeye - Length Symptoms Lasted
How long did the symptoms of your pink eye last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
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Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Conjunctivitis, Viral »
Viruses are a common cause of conjunctivitis in patients of all ages.
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