When faced with red and irritated eyes, many people wonder if they have “pink eye” (known as conjunctivitis in medical speech). Yet the symptoms of pink eye often overlap with other eye conditions, such as styes, blepharitis, or even dry eyes. Sometimes, these conditions can be misdiagnosed as pink eye.
It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis of what’s happening with your eyes. A correct diagnosis can lead to prompt and proper treatment, but an incorrect diagnosis can mean ongoing symptoms or even threats to your vision.
If you have questions about pink eye or your overall eye health, talk to us at Vivid Eye Care. We’re dedicated to being your trusted eye care partners, and we look forward to welcoming both old and new patients.
Pink Eye, Explained
Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis. The term describes inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a thin membrane lining the inside of the eyelid and covering the sclera or white part of the eye.
Causes of Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis can be caused by different things, and not all types of conjunctivitis are contagious.
- Viral conjunctivitis is caused by viruses like the common cold and is very contagious
- Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria and is also contagious, and some require antibiotics
- Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergy-causing substances like pollen, dust, and animal dander, and is not contagious
- Chemical conjunctivitis is also not contagious; it is caused by chemical irritants like air pollution or the chlorine in swimming pools
Symptoms of Pink Eye
You may have pink eye if you experience the following symptoms:
- Red or pink sclera
- Inflammation
- Itchy or burning eyes
- More tears than usual
- Gluey yellow discharge
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
Conditions That Can Be Mistaken for Pink Eye
The symptoms of pink eye may overlap with other conditions. Therefore, it’s important to get your symptoms properly diagnosed by an eye doctor so that you receive the correct treatment.
Styes
Also known as a hordeolum, a stye is a bump that forms on the eyelid due to a clogged and infected gland. A stye can cause symptoms like swelling, pain, pus, and tearing. Styes typically manifest as a small, painful bump.
Treatment: Styes can be treated with warm compresses 3 to 4 times a day for 15 minutes each. Consult with your eye doctor on how to best treat your stye, as they may also prescribe ointments and show you how to clean your eyelids.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. It can be caused by bacteria, chronic skin conditions, and mites. Symptoms include eye redness, a feeling of irritation, skin flakes, and eyelash loss.
Treatment: Blepharitis is considered chronic, which means there is no cure but there are ways to manage the symptoms. Eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, artificial tears, and antibiotics are examples of possible treatments.
Keratitis
The transparent, dome-shaped surface over your iris and pupils is called the cornea. Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include pain, redness, excessive tear production, light sensitivity, and blurriness. You may also feel like there’s something stuck in your eye or find opening your eyes extra challenging.
Treatment: Keratitis may be infectious or non-infectious. Depending on the cause, your provider may prescribe antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals. Oral medications, lubricants, and steroids are other possible treatments. Damaged corneas may require a transplant.
Iritis
The iris is the coloured part of your eye (brown, blue, green, or hazel). Inflammation of the iris is called iritis. Symptoms include redness, light sensitivity, discomfort, or problems with vision.
Treatment: Treatment may include steroid eyedrops, dilating eyedrops, or oral medications. Find medical help immediately if you experience symptoms of iritis. Lack of treatment may lead to glaucoma or loss of vision.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Also known as ocular surface disease, dry eye is a condition where your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears lack the correct chemical composition to properly lubricate your eyes. Symptoms include a feeling of something in your eye (itchiness, burning, grittiness). Your eye may also try to compensate for the dryness by producing excess tears, making your eyes look and feel watery.
Treatment: Dry eye is often considered chronic. Symptoms can be managed through lubricating eye drops, gels, ointments, in-office gland expression, punctal plugs, and lifestyle changes. If dry eyes are caused by another medical condition, treating that condition may alleviate symptoms.
Get Support for Pink Eye
Your vision is a precious gift. If you notice something amiss, don’t hesitate to contact an optometrist. Early intervention means preventing potentially serious damage to your vision. Learn more about eye emergencies here.
According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, you should see an optometrist if you experience pain, light sensitivity, or a change to the white parts of your eye. That’s because there are more serious conditions that share these symptoms and they require prompt treatment.At Vivid Eye Care, we prioritize patient comfort by investing in technologies designed to make the patient experience better. Book an appointment at Cranston Market or Meadows Mile today.
