I want to know if I have pink eye. What are the symptoms?

Question

My eye is a little red/pink and is sensitive to light. It's also been a tad swollen but nothing that noticeable. I wear contacts and I was wondering if it was pink eye, allergies, or maybe just my contacts irrtating my eye.

Answer 1

Conjunctivitis (or pink eye), is an infection of the conjunctiva. The three most common types of conjunctivitis are: viral, allergic, and bacterial. Each requires different treatments.

Viral conjunctivitis: Watery discharge, irritation, red eye, infection usually begins with one eye, but may spread easily to the fellow eye.

Allergic conjunctivitis: Usually affects both eyes, itching, tearing, swollen eyelids.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: Stringy discharge that may cause the lids to stick together, especially after sleeping, swelling of the conjunctiva, redness, tearing, irritation and/or a gritty feeling, usually affects only one eye, but may spread easily to the fellow eye.

With the exception of the allergic type, conjunctivitis is typically contagious. You should go to an Optometrist or Ophthamologist within the next day or so. Keep your hands clean and out of your eyes. Good luck!