PinkeyeMedical Author:
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACSAndrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
What to Do if You Think You Have PinkeyeMedical Author: Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
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 OverviewPinkeye 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 CausesPinkeye is a non-medical term that encompasses a wide variety of medical causes of red eyes. 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 several groups of common respiratory viruses. Other causes of conjunctivitis include bacterial infection, allergic reactions, chemical or physical exposures, and ocular drying or irritation. Viewer Comments & ReviewsPinkeye - Length Symptoms LastedThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:How long did the symptoms of your pink eye last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief? Pink Eye - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the cause of your pinkeye? |
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 
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Contact lenses are miraculous pieces of plastic that allow you to see without glasses. In most cases, contact lenses are used as a substitute for glasses, allowing you to dispense with them. Contact lenses may also be used to treat certain eye diseases or may be used for cosmetic purposes to change the apparent color of your eyes.
Successful contact-lens wear requires a "partnership" between the fitter, that is, an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, or possibly an optician, and you, the wearer.
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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape
Conjunctivitis, Viral »
Viruses are a common cause of conjunctivitis in patients of all ages.
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