What Is Pink Eye?

Conjunctivitis (commonly known as “pink eye”) poses significant health risks. Many people remain unaware of its potential severity. Even when experiencing symptoms, individuals often neglect seeking treatment—leading to serious damage to ocular health. Symptoms of conjunctivitis are typically very apparent once the condition develops. So, what exactly is conjunctivitis?

What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis generally refers to acute conjunctivitis, particularly the infectious or contagious type. Based on etiology, it is commonly classified into acute bacterial conjunctivitis and acute viral conjunctivitis. The most frequent form is acute catarrhal conjunctivitis, which results from bacterial infection. Common causative bacteria include Corynebacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Hemophilus influenzae. Typical symptoms include a foreign-body sensation, burning, photophobia, excessive tearing, yellowish or whitish ocular discharge, eyelid erythema and edema, conjunctival hyperemia, purulent secretions along the eyelid margins, and dried yellow crusts adhering to the eyelashes.

In most cases, eyes should be irrigated with normal saline or boric acid solution to remove secretions, followed by cold compresses. Avoid applying heat or bandaging the eyes. Topical antibiotic eye drops—such as ofloxacin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, or sodium sulfacetamide—are routinely prescribed. In severe cases, systemic antibiotics may be administered orally or intravenously. To prevent and control infection—especially during outbreaks—strict hygiene measures and enhanced preventive strategies are essential to curb 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 to you.