A – Z of Illnesses & Conditions

Conjunctivitis - Pink Eye:  Conjunctivitis  is also known as Pink Eye and Red Eye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they are more visible. This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink.

Pink eye is commonly caused by a bacterial or viral infection and an allergic reaction. In babies it is caused by an incompletely opened tear duct. Though pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye. Because pink eye can be contagious (transmittable), early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread.

See your doctor immediately if you have: eye pain; sensitivity to light (photophobia); disturbed vision; intense redness in one or both of your eyes.