Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye,” can cause significant discomfort. Because some types of conjunctivitis are contagious, you need to be very careful about observing proper hygienic measures if you or anyone in your household develops the illness.
In the second installment of this special blog, Park Slope Eye, your trusted family eye care clinic, talks about how we manage the different types of conjunctivitis.
Allergic Pink Eye
The first thing we do is establish your trigger allergen. If pollen is causing your allergy, we’ll recommend that you try to avoid going out when the pollen count is high. Whenever outdoors, wearing sunglasses and a face mask can help block pollen and other substances from coming into contact with your eyes. Washing your hands frequently is another must. Your eye doctor may prescribe antihistamine or anti-inflammatory medication to help control your symptoms.
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral pink eye is considered a self-limiting condition. This means it usually clears up on its own after a few days even without medical treatment. To reduce your discomfort, we may recommend applying a moist, cold cloth on your affected eye several times each day. Wash your hands frequently to prevent spreading the disease to others and avoid sharing your towels, clothes and other things.
Bacterial Pink Eye
Bacterial pink eye is another form of conjunctivitis that can easily be spread to others. This is why it’s important to treat it as soon as possible. Your eye care specialist may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointments. Take the medication on time and complete the whole course. Observing proper hygiene measures is important as well.
Fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can manage conjunctivitis. Feel free to check out the first part of this special blog to learn about the major causes and types of pink eye. We serve Brooklyn, NY, and nearby areas.
