Pink Eye/Stye
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is a infection of the eye’s conjunctiva usually caused by a bacteria or virus that results in red, itchy, painful eyes. Learn more below.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid.
Children get it a lot. It can be highly contagious (it spreads rapidly in schools and day-care centers), but it’s rarely serious. It’s very unlikely to damage your vision, especially if you find it and treat it quickly. When you take care to prevent its spread and do all the things your doctor recommends, pinkeye clears up with no long-term problems.
Pink eye is characterized by redness and swelling of the surface of the eye, as well as discharge from the eye. Styes are characterized by a raised painful bump, often near the inner corner of the eye. Both conditions can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, allergies, or environmental irritants such as smoke or chemicals.