Conjunctivitis in Lufkin, TX

TREATING CONJUNCTIVITIS

Problems with your eyes develop from a variety of situations and factors. When you have concerns about your vision or you want to address a specific problem, East Texas Eye Associates offers a solution for your concerns. We offer treatments for eye conditions and catch problems at an early stage for optimal eye care.

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, refers to a common problem with your eyes that an Ophthalmologist treats or helps prevent with proper precautions. While it may seem complicated, the condition occurs in many adults and children due to inflammation in the eyes. The white part of the eyes becomes pink due to the blood vessels and the impact of an infection in the eyes.

Although the condition may apply to any problem with the blood vessels that causes the white of your eyes to appear pink, it usually refers to a specific infection. The infection impacts the lid of your eye as well as the white of your eye and may stem from a variety of viruses.

Symptoms of the Condition

The signs and symptoms of pink eye allow you to catch the problem and seek proper treatment. Since it stems from a viral infection and is easily passed on to others, you want to treat the condition at an early stage.

Common symptoms of the condition include:

  • A pink appearance to your eyes or the white of your eyes
  • Itchiness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Yellow or greenish discharge, particularly when the condition is caused by bacteria instead of a virus
  • A burning sensation in your eyes
While the most common cause of pink eye is a viral infection, it may also stem from bacterial infections or occur as a direct result of allergic reactions. You want to work with a professional to determine when it stems from allergies or other factors.

Treatment from an Ophthalmologist

The treatments an Ophthalmologist recommends for pink eye depends on the underlying cause of the condition. During an exam, we identify the cause of your symptoms and then develop a personalized treatment plan to address your concerns.

Generally, we recommend a medication for allergies or bacterial infections. The medication is usually given through eye drops, but we may suggest an oral allergy medication in certain situations. The medication reduces the impact of your symptoms and addresses the underlying cause of your infection.

In the case of a viral infection, we recommend staying home and allowing your body's immune system to address the underlying problem. Medications do not work on viral infections, so you will need to wait for the condition to heal naturally. You can put a cool cloth on your eyes to help reduce the burning sensation or other discomforts. You should also get plenty of rest to allow your body to address the virus. Since a viral infection is contagious and is spread through coughing or sneezing, you want to stay away from others until it heals.

Treating conjunctivitis depends on your situation and the cause of your condition.