What Exactly is Pink Eye?

Pink Eye Symptoms and Treatment Options at Bayside Urgent Care

Pink eye can be more than uncomfortable or embarrassing. It can spread quickly by physical contact and lead to painful symptoms such as redness or itchiness.

At Bayside Urgent Care, we treat this condition regularly and can help alleviate your symptoms quickly and effectively.

What is Pink Eye?

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelids and covers the white part of your eyeball.

SPACE FOR PHOTOS

When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they become more visible and cause the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink. They may also cause eye pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity.

There are three leading causes of pink eye, including:

• Allergic conjunctivitis appears in a patient who has a history of seasonal allergies, and when pollen counts are elevated. One or both eyes may be red or itch. There may also be clear drainage, as well as some matting in the morning where both eyelashes stick together.
• Viral conjunctivitis is caused by one of several different viruses. This condition is contagious and can be spread through direct or indirect contact with others. One or both eyes can be affected, and the eye(s) will have clear discharge or itch.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs along with cold or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a sore throat. One or both eyes may have a yellow-colored, pus-like discharge that is yellow and some matting in the morning where both eyelashes stick together, but no itching.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Pink Eye?

Some of the most common symptoms of pink eye include:

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
• Itchiness in one or both eyes
• Burning sensation in one or both eyes
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
• A discharge from the eye(s) that forms a crust during the night which may prevent your eye(s) from opening in the morning
• More tears than usual

When Should Patients Seek Treatment for Pink Eye?

In most cases, pink eye will clear on its own, but there are instances when you should seek help from a medical professional:

• Newborns with pink eye symptoms
• Anyone with a weakened immune system from HIV infection, cancer treatment, or other medical conditions
• Anyone with an eye injury in which the eye could be scratched, or there is a possibility of a foreign body in the eye(s)
• Intense redness or pain in the eye(s)
• Light sensitivity or blurred vision that does not improve when discharge is cleared from the eye(s)
• Any symptoms that do not improve

What to Expect During Your Visit

During your visit, you will be evaluated by a Bayside Urgent Care medical professional who will confirm the type of pink eye you have. They will provide you with the right diagnosis, as well as the medication you need and advice on how to manage discomfort at home.

What to Bring When You Visit Bayside Urgent Care

To get the most out of lab testing, and to help our medical team, be sure to bring:

• A list of your medications, vitamins, and supplements along with dosages
• Information about past surgeries and illnesses
• Dates of screening examinations and vaccinations
• Your primary care doctor’s address and phone number in case we need to transfer records
• Any questions or concerns you want to talk over with our team

Prevent and Treat Pink Eye at Bayside Urgent Care

Our center is located in Clearwater, Florida, conveniently situated to Largo, Belleair, Dunedin, and Indian Rocks Beach. If you need help treating or assessing pink eye, visit our office or call.

*Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. Always head to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing very serious or life-threatening problems. Read What is Urgent Care for more information.

See A Doctor Today

Bayside Urgent Care is your alternative to the high costs and long waits at hospital emergency rooms. We believe that excellent healthcare should be affordable, and it’s our goal to never rush patients.

We are conveniently located in Clearwater, Florida. The center is only a short drive from nearby Clearwater Beach, Largo, Belleair, Dunedin, Countryside, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, and Indian Rocks Beach.