Pink eye also known as conjunctivitis, medically. It is quite an unease and can interfere with one’s daily routine. No matter whether it is bacteria, viruses, or allergens, it can lead to red irritation of the eyes and itching which can be very uncomfortable. Luckily, there are ways in which conjunctivitis can be treated and one can heal very fast. This article focuses on pink eye causes, healthy eye habits, proper eye care, and how to protect your eye from pink eye with proven tips.

The Causes of Pink Eye

Instead of jumping to the available treatment options, let’s take a moment and explain the various pink eye causes. Conjunctivitis can be attributed to a plethora of reasons:

1. Bacterial Causes: This type of pink eye is known as bacterial conjunctivitis, which is brought by bacterial infections. The Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria are the most common causes of this condition. Usually, it includes thick greenish or yellow discharge and is easily treatable due to antibiotics existence.
2. Viral Causes: Viral conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), usually associated with upper respiratory infections like colds, is viral but usually has a pattern of watery cough and not so much purulent discharge as bacterial pink eye has.
3. Allergic Causes: Allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander lead to allergic conjunctivitis. In this condition, a person has an unbearable urge to scratch the eyes and noticeable eye irritation and redness.
4. Irritants: Irritants that may cause conjunctivitis include chemical substances, smoke, and even contact lens wear that can cause irritated eyes.

These causes can help you categorize the type of pink eye you are dealing with and seek the most effective treatment.

Tips for Treating Conjunctivitis Quickly

1. Consult an Eye Care Specialist

The first thing to address conjunctivitis is to seek medical attention and consult an eye care specialist as they can diagnose the condition properly and dispense treatment whether conjunctivitis is due to infection which requires antibiotic drops, or antihistamines for allergic reactions.

2. Keep Up the Healthy Eye Habit

Practicing healthy eye habits is a prerequisite to prevent or manage conjunctivitis. Some of the solutions include:

• Good Hygiene Maintenance: Avoid rubbing your eyes and always wash your hands often if you’re going to touch your face or eyes. This will help reduce the chances of viruses and bacteria transmission that cause eye infections.
• Do Not Share Personal Belongings: Any common eye usage products such as cleaning towels, stuffed pillows, and cosmetics. Therefore, sharing should be avoided to limit the risk of infection spread.

3. Eye Protection

To minimize irritation and promote healing, protecting your eyes is essential. Here are ways of ensuring the protection of the eyes:

• Wear Sunglasses as one of the Eye Protection Measures: Wearing sunglasses helps to protect the eyes against irritation from sensible irritants such as dry air or any flying dust. This is particularly helpful where the person is going out, as these irritants can aggravate the irritation of the eyes.
• Contact Lenses are Not Allowed: For contact lens wearers, take a break from contacts and wear glasses until you fully recover from the eye pain. Wearing lenses can worsen the condition and may pose issues like eye redness.

4. Cold Compress to Help with the Symptoms

Cold compresses can be attached to the painful area to help ease the painful symptoms of reddish and irritated eyes. This is how it is done:

• Take a clean rag and submerge it in cold water, or get a freeze pack.
• Put it on your shut eyelids for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• It helps in less painful rest by performing this action several times a day within intervals to ease the soreness.

5. Not Rubbing Eye

One may feel a desire to rub their eyes especially if they are itching and there is no irritation, but resisting the urge can help healing. Because rubbing the eyes can create further irritation and possibly add more bacteria to the eyes, it is best to refrain from doing it.

6. Use Eye Drops

For people dealing with conjunctivitis or pink eye multimodal approaches such as eye drops are necessary when administering treatment. Each drop is a liquid dispersed in the eye with a mechanism of disabling corneal absorption. Preservative-free versions are recommended for prolonged use of eye droppers.

7. Hydrate Your Body

In the dehydrated body, even the eyes become dry and deliver discomfort. Sufficient intake of fluids also promotes the eye’s well-being and aids the immune system in fighting eye infections more efficiently.

8. Cut down Screen Time

Straining your eyes is something you do your best to avoid for comfort especially when suffering from conjunctivitis. Quite often situations where people have to work for long hours in front of a screen arise. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes work for 20 seconds, and look about 20 feet or in our case the walls. This would avoid eye strain and help in the eye’s comfort remarkably.

9. Allergens and Irritants

When suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, one should always remove allergens from the environment. Constant house cleaning strengthens the one against dust and pollen. Try incorporating air cleaner systems, as well as allergy-free comforters, within the room.

10. Stick To the Treatment You Were Given

If the physician has recommended some medicine, take it as prescribed. It is also important in the cycle of treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis to not stop taking antibiotics till the treatment cycle is complete. Many times, there are no effective treatments for conjunctivitis caused by viruses but there are measures to alleviate the symptoms.

11. Notice Any Changes in Eyes

Monitor your symptoms. If they increase in severity, worsen, or do not improve in a day or two, visit your doctor. Avoid complications which may especially arise where bacterial infections are concerned.

Conclusion

Conjunctivitis or pink eye could be a frustrating phenomenon. However, it can be treated with proper care and attention. Knowing the pink eye causes, adopting hygiene of the eyes, and using treatment will help you manage the pain and conquer the conjunctivitis once and for all. Don’t forget there is more to eye protection and care than simply the look of the eyes. Consult an eye care specialist at an eye care center for appropriate recommendations and treatment options if the symptoms do not relent. Your eyes deserve the best care, so prioritize their comfort and health.

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Written and Verified by:

DR. ATUL DHAWAN

MBBS, MS, FERC

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