Pink Eye Symptoms
To which pink eye type lead your symptoms

What are the pink eye symptoms you or your baby suffer from. It depends of course on which type of conjunctivitis/ pink eye is haunting you. Every type has its specific symptoms. This list of possible symptoms might point you in a more specific direction as to which type you're dealing with

Viral pink eye symptoms

In viral pink eye the eye looks red/ pinkish with a watery discharge

This usually affects one eye
Eye looks pink or red
Excessive watery discharge from the infected eye. The fluid is more or less transparent
Feels like there is something in the eye
Often it is accompanied by "cold like" symptoms, like a sinus congestion and runny nose
Eye lids may be swollen
Sometimes looking at bright lights is painful

This is a highly contagious type and usually goes away by itself in 7 to 10 days after the first symptoms appear. However this infection must be correctly detected and treated

Bacterial pink eye symptoms

Bacterial pink eye can cause moderate to heavy yellow or greenish discharge which affects both eyes

Pink or red eyes
Pain in your eye
Feels like there is something in the eye
Causes a moderate to heavy discharge which maybe yellow or greenish in color. It can form a crust around the eye during the night making it difficult to open it in the morning
Swelling. Is also contagious. When you think that you or your child might have bacterial conjunctivitis, contact your doctor. He or she will see if it this is the case and if necessary will take action to fight the infection
This is especially necessary when it is accompanied by a runny nose, earache or cough which can be caused by the same bacteria
Usually it resolves in 7 to 10 days after symptoms appear

Your doctor also wants to make sure the infection didn't spread to areas where the symptoms did not yet show themselves

Chlamydia pink eye symptoms

In both babies and adults pink eye can be caused by STD's like chlamydia or gonorrhea. This is a case of gonorrheal conjunctivitis

In adults conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia usually develops slowly. Most often there is no change in vision and no pain. Symptoms may include:

Watery discharge
Irritation
Possible redness
Occasionally sensitivity to light

Both adults and newborn babies can get it; the newborns can attract it during birth. In a newborn baby the symptoms may be redness in the eye and watery discharge. This starts when the baby is five to seven days old

When you suspect you or your child have this pink eye type immediately contact your doctor

Allergic pink eye symptoms

Besides the pinkish color and itchy feeling, allergic conjunctivitis s frequently accompanied by other typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching nose or a sore throat

Also affects both eyes
Pink or Red eyes
Feels like there is something in the eye
Itching in the eye
Excessive tearing
Watery discharge from the nose
Swelling of conjunctiva membrane results in what seems to look like clear blisters on the whites of your eye
Sometimes your nose starts to itch and becomes red

It is frequently accompanied by other typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching nose or a sore throat

If the symptoms don't go away even after using one of the suggested home remedies, contact your doctor

Chemical pink eye symptoms

When you get an irritant chemical substance in your eye(s) you can experience one or more of the following symptoms of conjunctivitis

We made the distinction between mild, serious and severe chemical conjunctivitis

Mild symptoms

Redness in the eye
Eye irritation
Mild pain in the eye
Tearing

More serious symptoms

Eyes getting even more red
Also the eyes swell more
Pain in the eye becomes worse
Blurred vision

Severe symptoms which are caused by a strong acid or alkali

Damage to the eye surface
Severe eye pain
Loss of vision

If you get an irritant chemical substance in your eye wash your eyes immediately with a very large amount of water and contact your doctor,even so if the chemical substance is or looks "safe and harmless"

The reason is that some common household products like bleach or even furniture polish can do a lot of damage

Giant papillary pink eye symptoms

Giant Papillary Pink eye or Conjunctivitis is often accompanied by red bumps on the underside of the eyelids. This also affects both of the eyes

Causes intolerance to contact lenses
Itching in the eye
Heavy discharge or tearing
Red bumps on the underside of the eyelids

This is a common complication with people who wear contact lenses

Underlying diseases

Redness
Itching
Tearing

When you suspect your returning bouts of conjunctivitis come from an underlying disease, contact your doctor

Subconjuctival hemorrhage symptoms

Although it looks and sounds terrible subconjunctival hemorrhage is nothing more than tiny blood vessels in the white of your eye that burst from changes in pressure or forceful movements, like serious laughter or bending over

Slight or partial redness in the eyes
Does NOT involve the iris (colored portion of the eye)
Vision is NOT affected
No pain or itching

Tiny blood vessels in the white of your eye burst from changes in pressure or forceful movements

More about pink eye

For an explanation, possible causes or powerful home remedies and prevention tips for pink eye / conjunctivitis, you can visit one of our pink eyepages: