Pink Eye….What Is It?

By Elena Jamscek

Pink eye or conjunctivitis is an inflammation and/or infection of the white part of the eye; more specifically the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. We can get pink eye from allergies, bacteria, or viruses. Most common is allergies and bacteria.

Allergic pink eye is that watery, itchy, clear drainage symptoms that affect both eyes. This can usually be remedied by antihistamine eye drops or allergy pills. My go to for these symptoms is OpCon A for my eye drops and generic Zyrtec for my allergy pill; but everybody is different and another kind of pill or drop may work better for you. Allergic pink eye is not contagious.

Bacterial pink eye is highly contagious. It affects one or both eyes. These symptoms include runny eyes, colored discharge from the eye, eyes matted together in the morning, and sometimes pain. This kind of pink eye needs antibiotic eye drops.

Viral pink eye is caused by the same virus that causes the common cold. There is no treatment for this kind of pink eye. Possibilities for relief include eye drops that decrease redness in your eye.

Preventing pink eye is as easy. Wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes, clean pillow cases regularly, use only clean wash clothes/towels on your face, do not share eye make-up or eye care products, and take proper care of contact lenses.

So, if you do start to see some of the symptoms listed above, come see us at 45 Urgent Care…no need for an appointment, we take walk-ins. You can find us at 147 North Star Dr. in Jackson, or give us a call at 731-554-0571 and we will get you taken care of!