Pink Eye

Is it pink eye?

the first question you would ask yourself if the eye is inflamed is:

"Does this look like pink eye?"

Let's start with that.

We will take a look at your symptoms and see if you are looking at pink eye, what type of pink eye and what is the best course of action to take.

Does it feel as if there is something in the eye?

Hmmm.
Well, a lot of things including pink eye can cause that. So let's Continue.

Are you experiencing increased tearing in the eye?

Just thinking.
Other things including pink eye can also cause this. Let's continue and see if you can narrow it down.

Is the eye itchy and red?

Alright.
This is a symptom of pink eye. In some cases, the eyes will be itchy and red.

Symptoms of pink eye include:

A feeling of something in the eye
Increased tearing
Eye is itchy and red.

Is the eye or eyelid swollen and sore?

Yes?
This can be a symptom of a pink eye infection.

Symptoms of pink eye include:

A feeling of something in the eye
Increased tearing
Eye is itchy and red.
Swollen and sore eye or eyelid.

Any crusted eyelash in the morning?

Yes?
This can be a symptom of pink eye.

Symptoms of pink eye include:

A feeling of something in the eye
Increased tearing
Eye is itchy and red.
Swollen and sore eye or eyelid
Crusted eyelash in the morning.

What about a hazy or blurred vision due to mucus or pus?

This is a symptom of pinkeye infection.

Symptoms of pinkeye include:

A feeling of something in the eye
Increased tearing
Eye is itchy and red.
Swollen and sore eye or eyelid
Crusted eyelash in the morning
Hazy or blurred vision due to mucus or pus.

Alright.
Those were symptoms of a pink eye inflammation or infection.

If most of those symptoms apply to you, then you may be looking at a pink eye.

If none apply to you, you may not be looking at a pink eye infection.

Let's continue and see what type of pink eye you are looking at.

Continue

Pink eye

Next question.

Is this viral, bacterial or allergy related pink eye?

Note that there are other causes of pink eye such as using contact lenses, irritants and so on.

Let's see what type you may be looking at.

Is the discharge coming from the eye watery?

Yes?

Are you noticing a thick pus coming from the eye(s)?

Pus?
If there is pus, suspect pink eye of bacterial origin.

Let's continue and see if this is the case to the best of our knowledge.

Keep in mind that differentiating between viral and bacterial infectious conjunctivitis is not highly accurate. Not even in the doctor's office.

Is this thick pus yellowish and/or greenish in color?

Yes?
Suspect a bacteria related pink eye.

Are both eyes affected or is it mainly one eye that is pink or red?

One eye?
Suspect a bacteria related pink eye.

Bacteria related pink eye more often would affect just one eye or start with one eye being infected before spreading to the other.

Whereas viral or allergy related pink eye more often affect both eyes.

These symptoms often goes with bacterial compared to the viral pink eye.

Bacterial-like symptoms include:

Pus
Thick discharge
Yellowish and/or greenish discharge.
Often affects just one eye
Eyelids get stuck together in the morning.

Now, if this is the case with you, you have to give the doctor a call or seek urgent care. There is no antibiotic over-the-counter to take care of bacteria related pink eye.

Once again keep in mind that differentiating between viral and bacterial pink eye is not accurate. Not even in the doctor's office.

Would you like to see the nearest urgent care clinic to you if you suspect it is bacterial or Continue?

Continuing for now will assume a viral or allergy related pink eye and there is no thick pus.

Urgent Care Continue

Pink eye

Think viral or allergic conjunctivitis if it is just watery and no thick pus or discharge.

In most cases, with bacterial conjunctivitis, you will come across thick pus oozing from the eye. This is not usually the case with viral or allergy related conjunctivitis.

Also bacterial related pink eye more often affect just one eye. But viral or allergy related more often affect both eyes at the same time.

Well, let's see if it is viral or allergy related pink eye. This will assume it is not bacteria related.

Does it feel as if there is a foreign object in the eye?

Yes?
Suspect a viral related pink eye in that case.

With viral conjunctivitis, it would feel as if there is something in the eye.

Suspect viral related pink eye if feeling something in the eye does not include sneezing, running nose or other allergy related symptoms.

Are your eyes very itchy?

Or burning?

Yes?
You might start suspecting allergic conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis usually do not include itching of the eye, at least not intensely.

Did your eyes get red very quickly?

And puffy?

Yes?
You may be looking at a pink eye due to allergy.

Usually, the eye get red pretty fast in allergic conjunctivitis. If there are other symptoms like runny nose or sneezing, then you should be looking at allergy related pink eye.

Would you like to see the allergy section or Continue with pink eye?

See Allergy

Alright.
We tried to see what type of conjunctivitis you may be looking at.

Why is this important?

It would help you determine if you need to see a doctor as soon as possible or if you can probably ride it out.

Example, if it is bacteria related, you must seek urgent care. There is nothing over the counter to take care of that. So don't waste you time or money on over-the-counter eye drops.

Note that pink eye is very contagious if it is viral or bacterial related. You must wash your hands after touching the eye and avoid sharing towel or pillows for now.

Let's see if you need to see a doctor right away or do you think you should seek urgent care from the discussion so far?

Urgent Care Continue

Pink eye

Need a doctor?

Can you can ride this out or do you need to see a doctor?