Red eyes are a common complaint seen in primary care. While pink eye can cause a red, swollen eye, not all red eyes are pink eye. The medical term for red eye is conjunctivitis. We will take some time to discuss some common causes of conjunctivitis and their common treatments.One of the most common causes of red eyes seen in our office is caused by seasonal allergies. This is called allergic conjunctivitis. Patients will complain of both of their eyes being red and watery. Patients will also commonly have other symptoms like a runny nose and sneezing. Allergy medicines like antihistamines can be very helpful in treating allergy symptoms and with symptom relief, patient’s eyes typically clear up as well.
Another common cause of red eyes is caused by a virus. This is called viral conjunctivitis. This is more commonly seen in adults. Patients with viral conjunctivitis complain that one eye is red and mildly painful. Viral conjunctivitis typically only affects one eye. The treatment for this is what doctors call “supportive treatment” and includes the use of cold compresses and artificial tears. Viral conjunctivitis will typically go away on its own within a few days to two weeks.
The last cause of red eyes we will discuss is what most people refer to as “Pink Eye.” Pink eye is caused by bacteria and doctors refer to it as bacterial conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children. Patients with bacterial conjunctivitis will complain that one eye is red, painful and they will describe a large amount of yellow colored pus coming from the eye. Patients will also say that their eye is stuck shut when they wake up in the morning because of the dried pus around their eye. The treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis is antibiotics. Once treated with antibiotics, patient’s symptoms typically go away in a few days to a week.
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be very contagious, so it is important to make sure you wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes and face. These types of conjunctivitis are spread so easily it is very important to try to keep from giving them to those around you. Also, if you wear contact lenses, you will want to remove them and replace them with new contacts after the infection has healed.
We have discussed some of the most common causes of red eye and how they are treated. If you or someone you know starts to develop eye redness, you should be seen by your primary care doctor so that the correct treatment can be given. In some cases, if the condition is severe, your doctor may refer you to an eye specialist called an ophthalmologist. Eye conditions can be very difficult to self-diagnose so it is always a good idea to see your doctor if you develop any eye problems.
Dr. Windecker is a resident physician who sees patients of all ages and provides obstetrical services at Lone Star Family Health Center, a non-profit 501©3 Federally Qualified Health Center operating facilities in Conroe, Spring, Willis, Grangerland, and Huntsville, and serving as home to a fully integrated Family Medicine Residency Program to increase the number of Family Medicine physicians for Texas and our community.
