Pink Eye: The Dreaded Condition that Keeps Kids and Parents and Bob Costas at Home By Dr. Amanda Weiss, Optometrist
In February, the 2014 Winter Olympics filled the headlines of major papers and news stations. But perhaps more memorable than the yellow tap water of Sochi Hotels or the white snow on the ski slopes, were the Pink Eyes of NBC Olympic host Bob Costas. Costas began broadcasting with one pink eye, and within 2 days, developed the same condition in his other eye. All parents know that even whispering the
treatment of viral pink eye. You may in
contagious as long as the eye is red and
words “pink eye” inside of a school will get
fact leave your eye doctor’s office without a
watering. Other infectious causes of pink
you a one-way ticket to the nurse’s office
prescription for drops if a viral infection is
eye are not as easily spread, and allergic or
and probably a cab ride home! But is pink
the cause of your pink eye, as many viruses
inflammatory contact lens causes are not at all
eye really that bad, and is it really that
(just like the common cold) must simply run
contagious.
contagious? The answer is Yes AND No. It
their course and be defeated by your immune
Treatment
depends on which kind of pink eye we’re
system. Behind a microscope, all pink eye
The greatest threat that conjunctivitis poses
talking about.
does not look the same, and certainly all
to us is scarring. Why? Because conjunctivitis
Anatomy 101: Pink Eye
symptoms are not the same. Your primary
that goes untreated leads to inflammation and
The technical name for Pink Eye is
care doctor or pediatrician can prescribe
scarring of the cornea, and scarring of the
Conjunctivitis, and it means Inflammation
drops, but a magnified examination of the eye
cornea (the clear window of the eye) leads
of the Conjunctiva. The firm outer wall of
really tells the true story as to the cause of the
to permanent vision loss. It’s important to
the eyeball that appears white is called the
inflammation and the appropriate treatment.
receive the appropriate treatment for pink
sclera. The sclera is covered with a thin, clear
Your eye doctor has the equipment to
eye as soon as possible, to lessen the risk
membrane called the conjunctiva. There are
closely examine the eye and make the proper
for sight-threatening complications. If you
several things that can cause the conjunctiva
diagnosis.
have symptoms that include reduced vision,
to become inflamed, swollen, or red. Bacteria,
How Contagious is it?
light sensitivity, or eye pain, it’s critical that
Viruses, Fungi, Parasites, Contact Lens over-
The most dreaded and contagious cause of
you schedule an appointment with your eye
wear, Allergy and Autoimmune conditions
pink eye is a virus. It is a specific strain of the
doctor as soon as possible, as these symptoms
are the most commonly mentioned causes
Adenovirus, the virus that causes the common
could indicate a greater likelihood of corneal
of inflammation. The treatment for each of
cold, which rapidly spreads from one eye to
involvement.
these causes varies widely, making the correct
the other, and from one person to another.
diagnosis critical.
It can travel on water droplets in the air, but
The bottom line is that pink eye is a problem
Who Done it?
most commonly spreads by touch via tears
that eye doctors solve best, and the sooner the
You might be surprised to hear that
and mucus. Hand washing is critical! For
proper diagnosis is made, the lower the risk
approximately 60% of cases of pink eye
women wearing cosmetics, discontinuing the
for serious complications, and the lower the
are caused by a virus. This means that the
use of cosmetics and discarding any wet eye
number of people in your house walking
strongest antibiotic in the world (designed
makeup (liquid eyeliner, mascara, foundation
around with pink eyes!
to kill bacteria) is completely useless in the
sponges) is required. The condition is
10 March 2014
www.banzaiwellnessmag.com