Pink eye, an eye condition known for how it causes swelling, redness, and more, is a lot more common of a problem than most people think.
This eye condition develops due to inflammation and infection in the eye itself, leading to the visible hue that gives pink eye its name. However, there’s a catch—pink eye isn’t the only condition that causes those symptoms. So what conditions can be commonly misdiagnosed as pink eye?
Any eye condition that affects the lining of the eye can be mistaken for pink eye. These conditions include:
- Uveitis
- Dry eye
- Styes
- Keratitis
- Blepharitis
If you’re dealing with swelling and redness in the eyes, visit your optometrist as soon as you can to discuss treatment.
What Is Pink Eye?
Your eyes and eyelids are lined with a thin, transparent tissue called the conjunctiva. This is responsible for protecting the eye. However, it’s not an impenetrable shield; sometimes, this conjunctiva becomes inflamed.
When this occurs, the blood vessels swell and become much more visible, leading to a red-pink hue. This is conjunctivitis, much more commonly known as “pink eye.”
Pink eye can be broken down into many types, depending on the root cause of the symptoms:
- Allergic
- Bacterial
- Viral
- Other
Because there are different types of pink eye, it’s crucial to visit your optometrist for a diagnosis, so you can get the right treatment.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva reacts to allergens. This isn’t contagious, and is usually recognizable by:
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Excessive tear production
Fortunately, this is easily treatable. You can visit your optometrist to discuss antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing eye drops and cool compresses. Usually, you can identify allergic pink eye by other allergy symptoms like sneezing or constant coughing.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria entering the eye. This type is highly contagious and often spreads through direct contact with infected hands or objects. The key symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis include:
- Thick, yellow-green discharge that may cause the eyelids to stick together
- Redness
- Swelling
Treatment typically involves antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed by your optometrist. In severe cases, oral antibiotics may be necessary, which optometrists in Alberta are qualified to prescribe. Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding touching the eyes, can help prevent the spread of bacterial conjunctivitis.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is another common form of pink eye, caused by viruses rather than bacteria. This is also highly contagious and can easily spread to others through respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces.
The symptoms of viral pink eye include:
- Watery discharge
- Redness
- Itching or burning sensation
There’s a bit of a problem with viral pink eye; it can’t be treated with antibiotics. Since the initial cause of this condition is a viral infection, you need to let it run its full course. It can help to use artificial tears, cool compresses, and other relief-finding practices to reduce symptoms.
However, it’s important to note that certain viral infections, such as herpes simplex (cold sores) and herpes zoster (shingles), require specific treatment. In these cases, oral antiviral medications are necessary to stop the virus replication process. Optometrists are equipped to diagnose these types of viral infections and can prescribe the appropriate medications to treat them.
What Conditions Are Similar to Pink Eye?
Even though pink eye is easily recognizable by the visible redness, tearing, and swelling around the eyes, there’s a catch; it’s not the only condition that can affect the conjunctiva. The human eye is remarkably sensitive, and can easily be inflamed by other conditions.
So what conditions can be misdiagnosed as pink eye?
Uveitis
Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. This condition can cause:
- Redness
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision
Unlike conjunctivitis, uveitis can lead to more severe complications if left untreated. Usually, uveitis can be treated through eye drops or anti-inflammatory oral medication. This condition requires careful monitoring by an eye care professional to reduce the risk of serious harm to the eye.
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a condition where your eyes do not produce enough tears or the quality of tears is poor, leading to dryness and discomfort. This condition can mimic the symptoms of pink eye, exhibiting redness and irritation. The common signs of dry eye include:
- Redness
- A stinging or burning sensation
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- A feeling of having something in the eye
Dry eye can often be managed with the help of an experienced optometrist. Through dry eye therapy, you can enjoy quick and long-lasting relief from your dry eyes.
Styes
A stye, or hordeolum, is a painful, red bump that forms on the edge of the eyelid, mainly caused by a bacterial infection of the oil glands. It can sometimes be mistaken for pink eye due to the accompanying redness and swelling. Key symptoms include:
- Localized redness and swelling on the eyelid
- Sensitivity to touch
- Tearing
Treating a stye typically involves warm compresses to reduce swelling and facilitate drainage, and in some cases, antibiotic ointments if the infection persists.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis refers to the inflammation of the eyelids, often occurring at the base of the eyelashes. It’s a chronic condition that can cause redness and irritation, making it easy to confuse with pink eye. The common symptoms are:
- Red, swollen eyelids
- Crusty or flaky skin around the eyes
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Watery eyes
- Itchiness
Management of blepharitis generally includes regular cleaning of the eyelids, warm compresses, and sometimes medicated eye drops or ointments to reduce inflammation and combat infection.
How to Tell if You Have Pink Eye
If you experience redness, discomfort, or discharge in your eyes, a professional diagnosis is key. Whether you’re dealing with pink eye, styes, or any other eye condition, our team at Eye Q Optometry can help. Book an appointment with us today—it’s the first step towards finding relief!
