conjunctivitis
Sign in to saveConjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin and clear layer that covers the white surface of the eye and the inner eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur. The affected eye may have increased tears or be stuck shut in the morning. Swelling of the sclera may also occur. Itching is more common in cases that are due to allergies. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes.
AI overview
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelid, which causes the eye to appear pink or reddish and can produce symptoms like pain, burning, scratchiness, itching, excess tears, or morning crusting. It matters because it's a common condition that can affect one or both eyes and may have different causes, such as allergies, though it can be uncomfortable and sometimes contagious depending on the underlying cause.
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Conjunctivitis
- Medical condition (new).image
- An eye with viral conjunctivitis.jpg
- Medical condition (new).caption
- An eye with viral conjunctivitis
- Medical condition (new).field
- Ophthalmology, optometry
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Pink eye, Madras eye
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Reddish eye, scratchiness
- Medical condition (new).duration
- Viral conjunctivitis: up to two weeks
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Viral, bacterial, allergies
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
- Based on symptoms, microbial culture
- Medical condition (new).prevention
- Handwashing
- Medical condition (new).treatment
- Based on underlying cause
Article
29 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Viral
- Allergic
- Bacterial
- Chemical
- Biomarkers
- Other
- Causes
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Allergic
- Other
- Diagnosis
- Classification
- Causes
- By extent of involvement
- Differential diagnosis
- Prevention
- Management
- Viral
- Allergic
- Bacterial
- Chemical
- Epidemiology
- History
- Society and culture
- See also
- References
- External links
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin and clear layer that covers the white surface of the eye and the inner eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur. The affected eye may have increased tears or be stuck shut in the morning. Swelling of the sclera may also occur. Itching is more common in cases that are due to allergies. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes.
The most common infectious causes in adults are viral, whereas in children bacterial causes predominate. The viral infection may occur along with other symptoms of a common cold. Both viral and bacterial cases are easily spread among people. Allergies to pollen or animal hair are also a common cause. Diagnosis is often based on signs and symptoms. Occasionally a sample of the discharge is sent for culture.