PINK EYE. SEVEN IMPORTANT CAUSES.

The conjunctiva of the eye or the white part located within it, can be affected by a number of different pathologies which are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, etc.

Among the most common causes of this pathology are bacterial conjunctivitis, herpetic conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Corneal ulcer, conjunctival haemorrhage and dry eye are some of the other causes of pink eye.

1. BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS.

It is an infection of the conjunctiva that causes inflammation, pain, purulent discharge (usually greenish or yellow), blurry vision, feeling of a foreign object in the eye, etc.

It is usually unilateral although it can extend to the other eye.

It is transmitted from person to person or through contaminated objects. The treatment consists of irrigation with physiological saline and antibiotic eye drops in severe cases.

2. VIRAL CONJUCTIVITIS.

It consists of an inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva that emerges in one eye and that can extend to the other. The most common symptoms are pain, fever, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and it barely presents any discharge.

This type of conjunctivitis can be accompanied by pharyngitis and rhinitis in some cases. It presents itself in the form of epidemics, and it usually spreads in public toilets and swimming pools.

The treatment is anti-inflammatories in the form of eye drops in order to alleviate the symptoms.

3.  HERPETIC CONJUNTIVITIS.

It is an infection caused by the herpes virus. Vesicles can be seen in the form of small water drops around the eyes, eyelids and in the conjunctiva. It has to be treated urgently as it can affect eyesight.

4. ALLERGIC CONJUNTIVITIS.

It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually present in both eyes at the same time. The intense itching without ocular secretions is what sets them apart from the other types of infections. The treatment consists of antihistamines in the form of eye drops.

5. CORNEAL ULCERATION.

This is another cause of pink eye. It is characterised by traumas in the cornea. The pain is intense and is accompanied by unilateral and blurry vision.

It is to be treated urgently.

6. CONJUNCTIVAL HEMORRHAGE.

Red blood can be clearly visible in the affected eye and produces slight discomfort. The most common causes are eye trauma and high blood pressure. Blood pressure should be kept under control although it does resolve itself without treatment in most cases.

7. DRY EYES.

Ocular dryness is frequently common due to age, continued used of the computer and other less common pathologies. It produces eye redness and needs to be treated with the use of artificial tears.

Evidently all of these pathologies have to be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or general practitioner in order to receive the correct treatment.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical Director of HealthSalus