A few things are more frustrating than waking up with pink eye. Irritated, bloodshot eyes are not only unattractive, but they can also be pretty uncomfortable. Fortunately, an experienced optometrist from us at Eye Clinic of Sandpoint serving Sandpoint, ID, can help you get to the bottom of your conjunctivitis and clear it up quickly.
What exactly causes pink eye? Keep reading to find out.
Viruses and Bacteria
Viruses are one of the most common causes of pink eye. You can experience both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis along with a respiratory infection or cold symptoms. You are also at high risk of this condition if you wear poorly cleaned contact lenses or if the lenses belong to someone else. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious as they can be spread through contact with eye fluids.
Allergies
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eyes respond to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, smoke, air pollution, or cosmetics. If you come into contact with these substances, your body will produce inflammatory substances such as histamine. When your body releases histamine, you will experience allergy symptoms, including conjunctivitis.
If your pink eyes result from allergens, you can have other symptoms like tearing, eye inflammation, sneezing, watery nasal discharge, and itching. It may be a good idea to visit the an optometry clinic if your symptoms do not improve with over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops.
Irritation
Irritation from foreign objects or a chemical splash can also cause pink eye. If you work in a dusty or smoky environment, you are at high risk of developing this condition.
Swimming in chlorinated water can also lead to conjunctivitis because the chlorine in the water can irritate your eyes. Irritation can also occur if you don't clean your contact lenses or if you wear them for a longer time than recommended.
Sometimes, you can get conjunctivitis if you try to clean or flush the eye to get rid of chemicals. You may experience symptoms such as mucous discharge and watery eyes, but these may go away in a day.
Visit Us for More Information
Although you may understand what is causing your pink eye, it may be important to visit an optometrist for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking for an optometry clinic in Sandpoint, ID, look no further than us at Eye Clinic of Sandpoint. Call us at (208) 263-8501 to get our services for all your optometry needs.
