What Is Pink Eye?

　　Conjunctivitis poses significant health risks, yet many people remain unaware of its severity. Even when exhibiting symptoms of conjunctivitis, individuals often neglect seeking treatment—leading to serious damage to ocular health. Symptoms of conjunctivitis are typically very apparent upon onset. So, what exactly is conjunctivitis?

　　What Is Conjunctivitis?

　　Conjunctivitis commonly refers to acute conjunctivitis, particularly the infectious or contagious type. Based on etiology, it is generally classified into acute bacterial conjunctivitis and acute viral conjunctivitis. The most common form is acute catarrhal conjunctivitis, caused by bacterial infection. Typical causative bacteria include *Corynebacterium*, *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Haemophilus influenzae*. Clinical manifestations include foreign-body sensation, burning sensation, photophobia, excessive tearing, yellowish or whitish eye discharge (purulent or mucopurulent), eyelid erythema and edema, conjunctival hyperemia, crusting of secretions along the eyelid margins, and yellowish, dried crusts adhering to the eyelashes.

　　In general, eyes should be irrigated with normal saline or boric acid solution to remove secretions, followed by cold compresses. Avoid hot compresses or eye bandaging. Topical antibiotic eye drops—such as ofloxacin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, or sodium sulfacetamide—are commonly prescribed. In severe cases, systemic antibiotics may be administered orally or intravenously. To prevent and control infection, enhanced preventive measures during outbreaks are essential to curb further transmission.

　　Patients are advised to first identify the underlying cause and then select an appropriate, pathogen-sensitive topical ophthalmic agent for treatment. We hope this information proves helpful.