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With school back in session, parents know how quickly germs move from one child to another. One of the most common infections seen in classrooms is pink eye, or conjunctivitis. Not only is it uncomfortable for kids, but it also spreads quickly and can disrupt learning and daily activities.
This guide will help you understand what pink eye is, how it spreads, and why your Performance Eyecare optometrist is the best person to turn to for diagnosis and treatment.
What is Pink Eye?
Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue that covers the white of the eye and the inner eyelid. Although the conjunctiva is transparent, it contains blood vessels that overlay the sclera of the eye. Anything that triggers inflammation will cause these conjunctival blood vessels to dilate. Symptoms include:
- Red or pink appearance of the eyes
- Itching or burning
- Watery or pus-like discharge
- Gritty sensation, like something is stuck in the eye
- Crusting of the eyelids, especially in the morning
While pink eye can sometimes result from allergens or irritants such as pollen, dust, and animal dander, the viral and bacterial forms are the most contagious, and most common in school settings.
Viral vs. Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Parents often wonder “is it viral or bacterial pink eye?” Here’s what you need to know:
Viral Conjunctivitis
Usually, watery discharge may accompany cold symptoms and typically runs its course in 1-2 weeks. Antibiotics won’t help, but supportive care like lubricating drops can ease discomfort.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Often produces thicker yellow or green discharge and eyelids may stick together after sleep. This type can clear up faster with antibiotic drops prescribed by your optometrist.
Both types are extremely contagious, which is why schools often require children to stay home until they are no longer infectious. For bacterial cases, that’s usually 24-48 hours after treatment begins.
Why Not Go to Urgent Care or the ER?
It may feel natural to rush to urgent care or even the ER, but that isn’t the best choice for pink eye. Here’s why:
- Most viral cases don’t require antibiotics, yet urgent care providers often prescribe them unnecessarily.
- Unnecessary antibiotics can’t cure viral conjunctivitis and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- Optometrists have the tools and expertise to diagnose the exact type of pink eye and provide tailored treatment.
- Visits to urgent care or the ER often cost more and may not include proper follow-up.
Your Performance Eyecare optometrist ensures your child gets the right diagnosis and the right treatment the first time they are seen.
A Real Parent’s Experience
“When my son Jordan was five, he caught pink eye during his first week of kindergarten. We saw Dr. Cuff, who explained it was viral, so antibiotics wouldn’t help. Instead, he gave us eye drops to ease the inflammation, and we kept Jordan home until he was no longer contagious. I’m grateful we went to our optometrist, because had we gone to the pediatrician, we likely would have been given antibiotics that wouldn’t have worked. That experience reminded me how important it is to get the right diagnosis and treatment, and to be careful about unnecessary antibiotic use.” – Joy
How Parents Can Prevent the Spread
You can lower the risk of pink eye spreading in your home and your child’s classroom with a few simple steps:
- Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water.
- Remind children not to rub or touch their eyes.
- Don’t share personal items like pencils, tissues, towels, or water bottles.
- For contact lens wearers, switch to glasses until recovery and replace lenses and cases afterwards.
- Clean commonly touched surfaces like playground equipment, doorknobs, desks, and shared supplies.
When to Seek Immediate Care
At Performance Eyecare, we have skilled optometrists who specialize in treating eye infections, managing eye diseases, and handling emergency eye care needs – even after hours. You need to seek treatment if experiencing the following symptoms:
- Severe pain or sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision that doesn’t improve
- Red and itchy eyes
- Mucous discharge
- Serious eye injuries
Our doctors are available to see patients with eye emergencies quickly, and you’ll be with eyecare experts instead of general health experts at an ER or hospital.
Keep Kids Healthy and Learning
Pink eye can spread quickly, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, children can return to school and activities safely.
And while conjunctivitis occurs more often in children, adults need treatment too when it occurs! Don’t wait until the symptoms get worse. Request a quote or call to schedule an appointment with your Performance Eyecare optometrist to confirm the cause of pink eye and get the care you or your child needs.
At Performance Eyecare we put the CARE in Eyecare.