It’s an urgent medical condition that can cause blindness if not treated.

( 5) One form of glaucoma, known as angle-closure glaucoma, causes the eye to redden and vision to blur. Glaucoma, which causes damage to the optic nerve, affects more than three million Americans.Here are three eye conditions that should not be ignored: But eye redness can have more serious reasons behind it. Allergies, dry eye syndrome, and irritants can cause a red discoloration of the white of the eye. 6: If you have eye redness, then it must be conjunctivitis.įACT: Red or bloodshot eyes can be a sign of many things besides conjunctivitis. If your symptoms persist or worsen, talk to your doctor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms and any of the following: eye pain, blurred vision, a weakened immune system, or a preexisting eye condition. However, it can sometimes lead to complications. 5: You never need to go to the doctor for conjunctivitis.įACT: Most of the time, pink eye doesn’t require special treatment and gets better on its own. Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics. Babies born with chlamydial or gonococcal conjunctivitis can develop serious infections in other parts of the body, such as the lungs and the spinal cord (meningitis). Two common types of neonatal conjunctivitis occur when the mother has the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia or gonorrhea. A mother can pass bacteria and viruses to a baby during childbirth. 4: You can’t be born with conjunctivitis.įACT: Newborns can have neonatal conjunctivitis, which is caused by a blocked tear duct, irritation to the eye, or an infection. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs in people with seasonal allergies and chemical conjunctivitis is caused by contact with irritants such as smog or the chlorine in swimming pool water. Bacterial conjunctivitis (caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria) and viral conjunctivitis are very contagious.

3: Pink eye is always infectious and very contagious.įACT: Different types of pink eye exist, and not all of them are infectious. Other types of conjunctivitis can be caused by allergens such as dust mites and pet dander or by exposure to irritants such as pollution and chemicals. Viral conjunctivitis can be spread through exposure to the coughing and sneezing of a person with an upper-respiratory infection, such as a common cold. The eye can become infected if it comes in contact with any contaminated object or substance, such as improperly cleaned contact lenses, makeup or lotions, or the tip of an eye-drop dispenser that was used on an eye with conjunctivitis. 2: You won’t get pink eye if you don’t rub your eyes.įACT: Touching your eyes with unclean hands is just one way that you can get conjunctivitis. Infectious conjunctivitis is easily spread in environments where children are in close proximity - such as at school or day care. Pink eye is commonly caused by hand-to-eye contact, and kids (especially younger ones) are more likely to rub their eyes and not wash their hands properly. ( 1) The condition frequently occurs in children for several reasons. Millions of Americans - children and adults - get pink eye each year. FACT: Pink eye is very common in children, but it’s not just a kids’ condition.

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