THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS

Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the thin lining inside your eyelid and part of your eyeball. This lining is known as the conjunctiva. When the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva get inflamed, they become more prominent and this causes the eye to turn pink or red.

Knowing the source of the pink eye infection you have makes a crucial difference in your treatment plan. The three most common types of pink eye are:
  • Viral conjunctivitis – Up to 65%1 of all pink eye cases are caused by a virus. The most common form of virus is known as the "adenovirus."2 This form of pink eye is highly contagious and there are no currently available drugs for treating viral pink eye.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis – More common in children, pink eye caused by bacteria can be treated with a prescription for antibiotic eyedrops or ointment. Generally, even without medication, this form of pink eye will clear up in just a few days without any lasting effects on the eyes.
  • Allergic conjunctivitis – Like any allergy, this type of pink eye can be caused by pet dander, pollens, molds and other common substances. There are specific antihistamine drops that can be used to treat this type of pink eye.
  1. Marangon FB, Miller D, Alfonso E. Laboratory results in ocular viral diseases: implications in clinical-laboratory correlation. Arq Bras Oftalmol 2007;70:189-94
  2. Infectious Agents Surveillance Center of Japan. Viruses isolated from the eye, Japan, 1990–1994. Infectious Agents Surveillance Report 1995;16:97-98