Emergency Eye Care For Pink Eye
Pink eye is one of the most common eye issues that people experience. One reason for that is because pink eye is highly contagious, and people tend to rub their eyes to relieve the itch caused by pink eye. Then, if they touch something else, they can contaminate a surface or another person, and then if that person touches their eyes, the condition is spread. But barring even the contagious nature of pink eye, there are times when this common condition warrants emergency care. For that, you can rely on Illinois Vision Clinic, where emergency eye care for pink eye is available.
What is Pink Eye?
So what is pink eye, exactly? It’s called pink eye because of its most obvious symptom, which is a pink eye. But formally, the condition is called conjunctivitis. What’s happening behind the scenes is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent layer covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Hence, the name conjunctivitis.
Where Does it Come From?
Conjunctivitis can happen as a result of bacteria, viruses, allergens, or irritants, which get into the eye and inflame the conjunctiva. Symptoms of pink eye include redness (or a pink hue), itching, tearing, discharge, and—most uncomfortable—a gritty sensation in the eye, as if sand blew into the eye on the beach. In many cases, pink eye resolves on its own. But not always. Considering that you can never know if your conjunctivitis is going to be a mild case or something worse, it’s really a good idea to visit your optometrist whenever you start to exhibit the symptoms of conjunctivitis. You should never to diagnose or treat this condition by yourself, as you could inadvertently make matters worse or end up infecting your loved ones, classmates, colleagues or even strangers you encounter while out in public. To contain this situation, always visit your eye doctor right away.
Symptoms of Pink Eye That May Require Emergency Care
As mentioned, pink eye is generally mild, but some cases may require emergency intervention to prevent further complications. Signs that you may need emergency care for pink eye include:
- Severe pain or discomfort in the eye
- Blurred vision or other vision disturbances
- Sensitivity to light
- Thick, yellow, or green discharge from the eye
- Swelling in the eyelids or around the eyes
- Fever or other signs of infection spreading beyond the eye
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek prompt care from an eye specialist to ensure your condition is properly evaluated and treated.
Emergency Eye Care for Pink Eye
When you come in for an emergency eye care appointment, our team will first conduct a thorough eye exam in order to accurately diagnose the issue. If it turns out that you do have a verified case of pink eye, we’ll try to see if we can identify the cause, in order to determine the best treatment approach. This may include prescription eye drops, compresses, ointments or something else.
Finally, we recommend that you have someone else drive you to your appointment at Illinois Vision Clinic for emergency eye care for pink eye since treatment may involve something that makes it impossible for you to drive yourself home.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of pink eye, don’t wait. Contact Illinois Vision Clinic for prompt, effective care. We’re here to help ensure that your eyesight and eye health is protected.
