Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, occurs when the membrane covering the insides of your eyelids and the white part of your eye, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed.
Inflammation of the conjunctiva causes the whites of your eyes to appear red or pink in color. Some other symptoms that accompany conjunctivitis are:
- itching
- a burning sensation
- increased tearing
- feeling like something is in your eye
- discharge of mucus or pus, which can lead to crusting of the eyelids or eyelashes
Conjunctivitis can be traced to different causes including:
- viral infections, such as those due to adenoviruses, measles, or COVID-19. [1]
- allergies to things like pollen, molds, and pet dander.
- bacterial infections that can be caused by species like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae.
- environmental irritants like smoke or chemical fumes.
Conjunctivitis that stems from a viral or bacterial infection is very contagious.