Pink eye isn’t just a health condition that impacts kids. Although children might be prone to pink eye, the condition isn’t always caused by contagious germs. In fact, it might take a professional optometrist to determine the true underlying cause of eye inflammation. Our team at AssureVision is available to help patients in the Arlington Heights, IL, and Barrington, IL, areas find out how to get relief from this irritating eye condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Conjunctivitis?
As the common name for this condition suggests, the whites of your eyes often take on a pink or reddish color. In some cases, you might also notice some eyelid redness and swelling. Itchiness, tearing and discharge are also symptoms of conjunctivitis. You might notice the symptoms in just one eye, or it could impact both of your eyes. If the symptoms increase as you sleep, you might even wake up feeling like your eyelids are stuck together. Clearing the dried up discharge is usually all it takes to get your eyes open again. You might also experience some sensitivity to bright light until the inflammation clears up.
What Causes Eye Redness and Discharge?
The majority of conjunctivitis cases are caused by a viral infection. Yet, any eye irritation can cause the blood vessels in your eye to get swollen and cause sudden redness. Sometimes, a bacterial infection is to blame. This might be common with people who wear contacts or use makeup that involves more hand-to-eye contact. Allergies are another culprit for these symptoms, which is why you might want to contact an optometrist to get a professional opinion on the best course of treatment.
How Can an Eye Doctor Alleviate Eye Irritation?
When you visit our optometrist, she may conduct an eye exam to figure out what is causing your symptoms. Once she makes a diagnosis, she can then help recommend the best course of treatment. While you might have to wait out a viral case of conjunctivitis, our eye doctor may prescribe drops that lessen the eye irritation. Antibacterial drops may be needed to address bacterial infections, and our eye doctor can help you figure out how to manage allergies that cause redness and teariness.
Visit Our Clinic to Get Help with Your Pink Eye
Did you wake up with a case of suspected pink eye? If so, our AssureVision team is ready to help. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment that helps to restore your eye health. We serve (847) 368-9999 Arlington Heights, IL, (224) 407-2020 Barrington, IL, and the surrounding areas.
