Pink Eye
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the conjunctiva — the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and inside the eyelids — causing redness, discharge, and irritation.
Definition
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the conjunctiva — the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and inside the eyelids — causing redness, discharge, and irritation.
In-Depth
What You Need to Know
Conjunctivitis has three main causes: viral (most common — watery discharge, often starts in one eye, highly contagious for 10-14 days), bacterial (thick yellow/green discharge, may affect one or both eyes, contagious), and allergic (itchy, watery, both eyes, not contagious). Viral conjunctivitis resolves on its own in 1-3 weeks with cold compresses and artificial tears. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic eye drops, typically improving in 2-3 days. Allergic conjunctivitis responds to antihistamine drops and allergen avoidance. Red flags requiring urgent evaluation include significant pain, light sensitivity, vision changes, or symptoms in a contact lens wearer (risk of corneal ulcer). Children with pink eye are typically excluded from school/daycare until 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment (for bacterial) or no longer tearing and matting (for viral).
Calls & Questions
What Patients Ask
Common phone questions about pink eye — and how Front Desk handles scheduling and call routing automatically.
Common Patient Questions
- 1Is pink eye contagious?
- 2Do I need antibiotics for pink eye?
- 3When can my child go back to school?
- 4Can I wear contacts with pink eye?
How Front Desk Helps Your Practice
Front Desk routes pink eye calls by urgency, schedules same-day or next-day appointments, advises removing contact lenses, and directs callers with severe symptoms to urgent evaluation.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about pink eye.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the conjunctiva — the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and inside the eyelids — causing redness, discharge, and irritation. Conjunctivitis has three main causes: viral (most common — watery discharge, often starts in one eye, highly contagious for 10-14 days), bacterial (thick yellow/green discharge, may affect one or both eyes, contagious), and allergic (itchy, watery, both eyes, not contagious). Viral conjunctivitis resolves on its own in 1-3 weeks with cold compresses and artificial tears.
Your optometry provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk routes pink eye calls by urgency, schedules same-day or next-day appointments, advises removing contact lenses, and directs callers with severe symptoms to urgent evaluation.
Your optometry provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk routes pink eye calls by urgency, schedules same-day or next-day appointments, advises removing contact lenses, and directs callers with severe symptoms to urgent evaluation.
Your optometry provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk routes pink eye calls by urgency, schedules same-day or next-day appointments, advises removing contact lenses, and directs callers with severe symptoms to urgent evaluation.
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