1. Conjunctivitis
“Pink Eye”
By: Laura Brown, Sarah
Afiz, and Nick Olson
P.1

2. Conjunctivitis
 Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the clear
membrane covering the sclera (white part of eye) and interior lining of
eyelids
 The inflammation of the conjunctiva cause the eye’s blood vessels to
dilate, resulting in the reddish appearance

3. Types?
5 different types of Conjunctivitis
1. Bacterial Conjunctivitis- cause by bacteria
2. Viral Conjunctivitis- often associated with
the common cold, caused by the adenovirus
3. Chlamydia Conjunctivitis- caused by
sexually transmitted infections
4. Allergic Conjunctivitis- caused by pollens,
dust
5. Reactive Conjunctivitis- caused by
chemicals such as swimming pools

4. Causes?
Pinkeye has different causes which include
 Virus
 Bacteria ( like chlamydia)
 Shampoos, dirt or smoke (ash), and pool
chlorine and other foreign objects that invade
the eye
 Allergies to dust or pollen, or to contact
lenses

5. Who?
 Conjunctivitis can affect any age person of
either sex.
 It also can affect any race.
 It is very serious if it occurs in an infant.
 It is also a common ailment in pre-schools
and elementary schools due to the easy
transmission of the virus.

6. Symptoms
The symptoms of pinkeye are varied depending on the cause of it:
 Redness of the white area of the eye
 Increased tears
 Thick yellow discharge that when dries it crusts over the
eyelashes
 Itchy eyes or Burning sensation
 Blurred vision
 Increased sensitivity to light/ brightness of sun
 If left untreated, bacterial conjunctivitis can cause scars on
eye’s surface leading to permanent damage and vision loss

7. When?
 Conjunctivitis can occur at any time of the year and
any time of the day. It is noticed most prominently in
the early mornings when eyes are closed shut from
the mucus.
 Allergy induced occurs primarily during the
heightened hay fever season. Chemical induced
occurs primarily in summer due to increased pool
usage.
 Cases increase during the school year due to close
proximity with so many children in daycare and
schools.

8. When: Incubation
 It normally starts in one eye and spreads to the other
eye in a day or two
 This disease is asymmetrical, meaning it can affect
one eye more than the other
 Incubation Period for Pink Eye will vary depending
on whether it is caused by bacteria or a virus.
 Viral infection: from 12 hours to 3 days later,
symptoms will appear.
 Bacterial infection: symptoms display one to three
days after transmission.

9. How Treated
Treatments vary depending on type:
 Bacteria: treated with antibiotics (a quinolone
antibiotic), in the form of eye drops,
ointments, or pills.
 In all cases, if pink eye continues a Dr.
should be consulted.
 Recommended to throw contact lenses away
and insert new ones when the pink color is
gone.

10. Origin
 Conjunctivas- named after the conjunctiva
 “Pink Eye”- name for the color the eye
resembles when the conjunctiva is
inflammed
 “Madras Eye”- the virus that causes
conjunctivitis was first identified in Madras,
India during the early 20th sentury

11. Resources
 Web MD: http://www.webmd.com/eye-
health/tc/pinkeye-topic-overview
 Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pink-eye
 E-Medicine: http://emedicine.medscape.com