How to Treat Your Conjunctivitis

Ocular wellness has many aspects. In addition to the refractive errors you've undoubtedly heard of, including nearsightedness and farsightedness, some problems arise from factors outside the eye.

These are known as external eye conditions and affect the eyelids or outer surface of the eye. One such issue is the well-known conjunctivitis or pink eye. It can afflict one for multiple reasons and make daily life uncomfortable and unenjoyable.

It may also be quite contagious, so early diagnosis and treatment are key in regaining your comfort and preventing the spread of pink eye to your loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Therefore, it's imperative to schedule a consultation with our board-certified ophthalmologists at Clewner &Kelly Eye Center in Boca Raton, FL.

Knowing conjunctivitis and its symptoms is half the battle

Like other conditions, the "-itis" stands for inflammation, and conjunctivitis is an inflammation (or an infection) of the conjunctiva, a thin transparent membrane that coats the white part of the eyeball and lines the eyelid.

If you're concerned about the potential presence of pink eye, it's best to seek a professional opinion as soon as possible. This condition can be contagious, and the best way to prevent its spread (and spare your family and friends the annoyance) is to pursue timely detection and treatment.

As such, it's important to know the symptoms. Note that the following may affect both or only one eye:

• Persistent, excessive tearing

• Redness or other visual signs of irritation

• Itchiness

• The sensation of grittiness, or the feeling of having something stuck in your eye (also known as foreign body sensation)

• A discharge emanating from the eye(s), which may harden into a crust

• Difficulty opening one's eye(s) in the morning due to the formation of the aforementioned crust

What causes conjunctivitis? How is it treated?

There are a few possible causes of conjunctivitis, including a bacterial or viral infection. It may also be caused by the physical imposition of having a small foreign body lodged on the eyeball. Allergies may also play a role, and irritants like chemicals or any other substance splashed into the eye. Alternatively, it may be due to contact use if the contacts aren't probably cleaned.

One of the best ways to treat pink eye is to prevent it. And you can do so by practicing proper hygiene. For example, keep your hands and face clean, avoid contact with your eyes, keep your pillowcase fresh, and do not share cosmetics or contact lenses or towels/washcloths with other people.

The clinical treatment for conjunctivitis is simple and minimally uncomfortable or invasive. We may prescribe various eye drops, depending on the cause and manifestation of the condition. These include antibiotics to shorten the infection and decrease the chance of it being passed on.

Protect your eye health, and avoid passing conjunctivitis onto others by reaching out to us today

Bacterial and viral cases of pink eye can be very contagious. These cases can easily be spread via direct or indirect contact with the liquid oozing from the affected eye or eyes. There is also a risk that what may look like conjunctivitis may be some other condition.

So, if you're suffering any of the symptoms previously listed, or have any concerns, don't hesitate to get in touch with our expert ophthalmologists at Clewner &Kelly Eye Center or pay us a visit in Boca Raton, FL.