Uveitis Eye Inflammation Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

diagnosis of viral conjunctivitis :: Article Creator

Is It Pink Eye Or Allergies?

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies) are different health concerns that cause similar symptoms, such as eye discharge, itching, redness, and watery eyes. Pink eye and eye allergies are both types of conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the outer membrane layer that covers your eyeball and the inside of your eyelids.

How do you know if it's pink eye or allergies? The difference lies in what's causing that inflammation. Pink eye is an infection caused by bacteria or a virus. In contrast, allergens like pet dander and pollen trigger eye allergies.

Pink eye and eye allergies are not the only causes of eyes that look pink or red, but they are among the most common. Read on to learn how to tell the difference between pink eye and eye allergies.

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The common name for bacterial and viral conjunctivitis is pink eye. Bacterial pink eye is less common than viral pink eye and has symptoms that differ from viral pink eye and eye allergies. Symptoms Bacterial pink eye symptoms typically include: Crusty yellow or green discharge from your eyes Eyelids that are stuck together Redness (often is just one eye, though it can appear in both) Viral pink eye often occurs with the common cold. You may have redness and eye discharge that's more watery than crusty. Causes Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are some of the most common causes of bacterial pink eye. For example, the same bacteria that cause strep throat might lead to bacterial pink eye. Those bacteria can spread from hand to eye or through respiratory droplets. You can get viral pink eye the same way you get a cold, such as by touching infected surfaces and then touching your eyes. The same viruses that cause common colds can result in this infection. Diagnosis A healthcare provider can diagnose pink eye by looking at your eyes and swabbing the conjunctiva. They will send the swab sample to a laboratory for analysis. Some analyses can determine what type of bacteria or virus is causing your symptoms. Treatment A healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments to treat bacterial pink eye. Antibiotics will not help treat viral pink eye, but artificial tears, cool compresses, and mild eye steroid drops can ease discomfort. Viral pink eye usually goes away on its own within three weeks, but it can sometimes turn into bacterial superinfection. For example, you can introduce bacteria into your eyes if you keep rubbing them. Bacterial and viral pink eye are contagious. Be diligent about washing your hands if you have it or are around someone who does. You might develop eye allergies if you are allergic to dust mites, mold, pet dander, pollen, or other allergens. The conjunctiva becomes inflamed and swollen when those substances come into contact with your eyes. Symptoms Eye allergies typically cause symptoms like: A gritty feeling in your eyes Burning Itching Light sensitivity Redness Swelling of the eyelids Watery eyes Causes Allergens, including dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen, cause eye allergies. Your body overreacts when one of those harmless substances comes into contact with your eye and releases histamine. This chemical causes the blood vessels in the conjunctiva to swell, resulting in itchy, red, and watery eyes. Diagnosis A healthcare provider may look at your eyes for signs of allergic conjunctivitis: "If we look under the eyelid, we may find bumps indicative of allergies, called papillae," Jules Asher Winokur, MD, an ophthalmologist at Northwell Health, told Health. You might require an allergy test to check for what's causing your symptoms. For example, a healthcare provider might advise a skin test if your symptoms do not go away with at-home treatments. They might inject allergens into your skin or tape them onto your skin for 48 hours and then check for a reaction. Treatment Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious, and you can usually treat symptoms at home. One of the best ways to reduce symptoms is to stay away from whatever allergens are bothering you. Other ways to treat eye allergies include: Apply a cool compress to your eyes to reduce discomfort. Avoid smoke and secondhand smoke. Take antihistamines, available over the counter as pills, capsules, liquids, and eye drops. Use decongestant, lubricating, or mild eye steroid drops. Make sure you take out contact lenses at the first sign of irritation and redness. Wearing contact lenses increases your risk of infection. Pink eye and eye allergies are both types of conjunctivitis that cause similar symptoms. The difference primarily lies in what's causing those symptoms. A healthcare provider might use different methods to diagnose and treat pink eye and eye allergies, depending on the cause. Here's a look at the similarities and differences between pink eye and eye allergies: Pink eye Eye allergies Symptoms Eye discharge (i.E., crusty or watery) and redness Burning, itching, redness, swelling, and watery eyes Causes Viruses or bacteria Allergens (e.G., dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen) Diagnosis Examining the eyes and swabbing the conjunctiva for testing Examining the eyes and performing an allergy test in severe cases Treatment Antibiotics (i.E., eye drops or ointments), artificial tears, cool compresses, and mild eye steroid drops Antihistamines, cool compresses, and eye drops Eye allergies are not contagious, so you cannot spread allergic conjunctivitis. In contrast, the viruses and bacteria that cause pink eye are highly contagious. You can take steps to prevent spreading pink eye, including: Avoid touching your eyes. Change and clean your contact lenses as instructed. Do not share eye makeup, handkerchiefs, and towels. Regularly change your pillowcases. Replace eye makeup if it expires. Wash your hands. Pink eye and eye allergies are types of conjunctivitis that often cause eye discharge, itching, redness, and watery eyes. Viruses and bacteria cause pink eye, while allergens result in eye allergies. A healthcare provider might examine your eyes to diagnose either eye concern. They might recommend antibiotics (if you have a bacterial infection), cool compresses, or eye drops. Eye allergies are not contagious, but you can prevent spreading pink eye by not sharing personal items and washing your hands regularly. Thanks for your feedback! 10 Sources Health.Com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Allergic conjunctivitis. MedlinePlus. Pink eye. Alfonso SA, Fawley JD, Alexa Lu X. Conjunctivitis. Prim Care. 2015;42(3):325-345. Doi:10.1016/j.Pop.2015.05.001 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Conjunctivitis: What is pink eye? Azari AA, Arabi A. Conjunctivitis: A systematic review. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2020;15(3):372-395. Doi:10.18502/jovr.V15i3.7456 Pippin MM, Le JK. Bacterial conjunctivitis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. MedlinePlus. Conjunctivitis or pink eye. Solano D, Fu L, Czyz CN. Viral conjunctivitis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. MedlinePlus. Allergy testing - skin. Baab S, Le PH, Kinzer EE. Allergic conjunctivitis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

What You Need To Know About Eye Redness

Now let's explore the different causes of eye redness. For each one, we'll cover what it is, what causes it, and any other additional symptoms to be aware of.

Allergies

Allergies can affect the eyes, leading them to become red and swollen. Other symptoms that you may experience include:

Eye allergy symptoms can also be accompanied by other allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and an itchy, running nose.

Some common allergy triggers include:

Dry eyes

Tears are made by small glands above the eyes. They work to help protect and lubricate the eyes. You have dry eyes when your eyes don't produce enough tears.

Dry eyes are very common, with studies estimating a prevalence rate of between 5 to 50 percent. The condition is more likely to occur in women, people over the age of 50, and individuals who wear contact lenses.

If you have dry eyes, you may notice that your eyes appear red. Other symptoms include:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis happens when the membrane covering the insides of your eyelids and the white part of your eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This condition is also called pink eye.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva causes the whites of your eyes to appear pink or red in color. Some other symptoms that may occur with conjunctivitis are:

itching

a burning sensation

feeling like something is in your eye

increased tearing

discharge of mucus or pus, which can lead to crusting of the eyelids or eyelashes

Conjunctivitis can have a variety of causes, including:

viral infections, such as those due to adenoviruses, measles, or COVID-19

bacterial infections that can be caused by species like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae

allergies to things like pollen, molds, and pet dander

environmental irritants like smoke or chemical fumes

Conjunctivitis due to a viral or bacterial infection is very contagious. That means that it can easily be spread from one person to another.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is when your eyelids become inflamed. It can cause your eyelids or eyes to appear red and swollen.

Some additional symptoms of blepharitis are:

itching

a burning or stinging sensation

feeling like something is in your eye

increased tearing

crusty eyelids in the morning

sensitivity to light

It's also possible for blepharitis to cause more serious symptoms, particularly if not managed. These can include things like loss of eyelashes, eyelashes that grow in the wrong location, or blurred vision.

Blepharitis can happen if you have high amounts of bacteria on your eyelids. The condition may also develop if oil glands in your eyelids become clogged. A mite infestation can also cause blepharitis in rare cases.

Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation that happens in the middle part of your eye, called the uvea. The uvea is an area found between the white of your eye and your retina.

Inflammation due to uveitis can lead to eye redness. Additional symptoms to look out for are:

There are a few known causes of uveitis, including:

Getting timely treatment for uveitis is vital. This is because the condition can lead to vision loss if not managed.

Scleritis

Scleritis is when inflammation affects the white of your eye, which is called the sclera. When this occurs, the white of your eye can become red and swollen. Additional symptoms can be:

increased tearing

eye tenderness or pain

blurred vision

sensitivity to light

pain in the head, face, or jaw

decreased vision

The development of scleritis is often associated with an autoimmune disease. Examples include:

It's also possible for scleritis to happen due to an injury to the eye or an eye infection.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Sometimes, a blood vessel in an eye can break, leaking blood on the surface of your eye This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

The condition may look serious, but it's often benign and goes away on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Typically, the redness in the affected eye is the only symptom, although in some cases, your eye may feel slightly irritated.

However, if you have subconjunctival hemorrhage and your vision is decreased, talk with a doctor.

Some potential causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage are:

rubbing your eyes too hard

intense coughing or sneezing

vomiting

eye injury

You may be more prone to this condition if you're taking blood thinners or have diabetes or hypertension.

Eyelid stye

A stye is a blockage of the meibomian gland in the eye that causes inflammation. It can affect the outside or inside of either your upper or lower eyelid.

If you have a stye, the area at the edge of your eyelid can become red, swollen, and painful. The affected area may fill with meibum (due to the blocked gland) and can potentially grow to the size of a pea.

Angle-closure glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure in your eye increases due to the eye producing more fluid than the normal rate. This can damage your optic nerve, potentially leading to vision loss.

There are different types of glaucoma. In one type, called angle-closure glaucoma, a rapid increase in eye pressure occurs. You may also see this type of glaucoma called closed-angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma.

The symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma come on suddenly and may include eye redness. Other symptoms to be aware of are:

Angle-closure glaucoma happens when your iris blocks the area through which eye fluid drains. Fluid begins building up in the eye, leading to a rapid increase in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma is an emergency and can lead to vision loss if you don't seek treatment right away.

Corneal ulcers

Corneal ulcers are ulcers, or sores, that affect the outer part of your eye, which is called the cornea. This condition is also called keratitis.

In addition to red eyes, other symptoms of a corneal ulcer are:

severe eye pain

feeling like something is in your eye

increased tearing

discharge of pus

blurred vision

sensitivity to light

eyelid swelling

There are several things that can cause corneal ulcers to develop:

bacteria

viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus

fungi

acanthamoeba, a type of parasitic infection

dry eyes

sleeping in contact lenses

showering or swimming in contact lenses, or using well water to clean contacts

injury to the cornea, such as a scratch, cut, or burn

Bell's palsy and other disorders affecting the eyelid's ability to close

It's important to seek timely medical attention if you have symptoms of a corneal ulcer. If not managed, this condition can permanently damage your vision.

Injury

Sustaining an injury that affects your eye may cause it to become red, often due to irritation or bleeding. Other symptoms that may occur with an eye injury are:

eye pain

swelling of the eye or the surrounding area

trouble moving your eye

decreased vision

different pupil sizes

A few examples of common sources of eye injuries include:

foreign objects that get into your eye

physical trauma, such as sustaining a blow or an accident

exposure to chemicals

Contact lens wear

Individuals who wear contact lenses have to touch their eyes and the surrounding area more often than those who don't wear contact lenses. As such, they're at an increased risk of eye redness due to a variety of factors. Some of these include:

scratches or scrapes on the cornea

eye allergies

eye infections

corneal ulcers, which can happen from sleeping in contact lenses

dry eyes

neovascularization, when new blood vessel grow on the cornea

giant papillary conjunctivitis, a type of conjunctivitis in which bumps develop under your eyelid

contact lens-induced acute red eye (CLARE), an inflammatory condition associated with wearing contacts overnight

In addition to eye redness, some symptoms of complications related to contact lenses are:

eye pain

increased tearing

blurry vision

sensitivity to light

If you wear contact lenses and have any of the symptoms above, remove your contacts for a few hours. If your symptoms continue or become worse, contact an eye doctor.

Additional causes of eye redness

In addition to the causes discussed above, some further causes of eye redness include:

use of alcohol or cannabis

photokeratitis, which is eye irritation that can happen due to sun exposure

ocular rosacea, a skin condition that most often affects the cheeks, nose, or forehead but can also affect your eyes

trichiasis, in which eyelashes grow inward and irritate the eye

cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that can affect the eyelid or eye socket

endophthalmitis, an infection of the tissues on the inside of your eye

onchocerciasis, a parasitic infection caused by a roundworm

retinoblastoma, a type of cancer that affects the eye

What The Colour Of Your Eye 'sleep' Can Reveal About Your Health – And When To Get Help

GUNK, goop, sleep, crusts - what do you call the gooey stuff that accumulates in the corner of your eye?

Whatever your name for it, we all brush away crusty bits from our peepers after a long sleep and throughout the day.

Crusts can come in all sorts of colours and they can mean different things

You probably don't make a habit of examining the colour of your eye crusties.

But Neil Laird, a special optometrist at Pure Optical, told Sun Health that different hues could mean different things.

From white, to green, yellow and pink, here's what the colour of the 'sleep' in your eyes can tell you about your health.

1. Clear, cream or white

If your eye sleep is clear, cream or white-hued, you're probably with the normal range, Neil said.

"A small amount of clear, cream or white crust in your eyes when you wake up is perfectly normal, as this is your body's way of naturally clearing out any debris that accumulates over the day," he explained.

"This sleep gets its colour from a mixture of oils, mucus and shed cells, so may be lighter or darker depending on whether your eyes have been a bit dry, or you have used oil-based facial cleansers," Neil added.

2. White (but lots of it)

Neil noted that white gunk in large amounts might be cause for concern, however.

"While white mucus can be normal, if you have a lot of white eye discharge coupled with redness, swelling or sores this could be a sign you have viral conjunctivitis or even ocular herpes," he warned.