Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) — Acme Corp Wellness

Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the covering of the inside of the eyelids and the whites of the eyes. The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis.

It is called pink eye when the cause is a bacterial or viral infection. This is because the white part of the eye looks pinkish-red. Conjunctivitis can also be due to an allergic reaction.

pink-eye_conjunctivitis_Ill-1

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis Chart

Signs & Symptoms	Cause	Treatment
Redness of the whites of the eyes. Watery, yellowish-green, or puslike discharge from the eye. Feels like you have something in your eye. May have crusting on the eyelashes, runny nose, and sore throat.	Viral infection (common). Bacterial infection (less common). Both are contagious.	For bacterial infection, prescribed antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Usually starts to clear up in 2 to 3 days. Take eye drops as long as prescribed. Viral infections are self-limiting and resolve without treatment. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be prescribed, because it is hard to tell a viral from bacterial infection, since symptoms for both are the same. Can take 14 to 21 days to clear up a viral infection.
Burning, itching, and watery eyes. May feel like you have something in the eye.	Allergic reaction (not contagious). Common irritants are cosmetics, contact lenses, dust, mold, pollen, and smoke.	Avoid the allergen. Use over-the-counter eye drops and/or artificial teardrops. Ask your doctor if it is okay to take an over-the-counter antihistamine.

Triage Questions

Question 1

With pink eye, do you have any of these problems?

A puslike discharge with redness and irritation
Your vision is affected and/or your eye(s) hurt a lot.

Self-Care / Prevention

Pink Eye

Wash your hands often. Don’t share towels, washcloths, etc.
Avoid contact with other people as much as you can until you have used the prescribed antibiotic eye drops, etc. for 24 hours. Follow the rules of your workplace about pink eye. For children, follow the rules of their school.
Use a tissue, not your finger, to touch the infected eye area.
With your eyes closed, apply a cotton ball soaked in warm (not hot) water to the affected eye 3 to 4 times a day. Do this for at least 5 minutes at a time. Use a clean cotton ball each time.