As kids head off to school in the Orlando area, the highly contagious conjunctivitis aslos known as pink eye is on the rise. “This common medical condition is around all year. Since it can spread so easily it’s more common when school is back is session and kids are in close contact and touching similar surfaces,” Dr. Khalilah Babino, an urgent care physician at Loyola University Health System, said in a Loyola news release.
Pink Eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin clear tissue that lines the eyelid and lies over the white part of the eye. It can be caused by some viruses and bacteria and spreads easily from person to person.
Pink Eye Symptoms Include:
Burning and itchy eyes
White or green discharge from the eye
Blurred vision or increased amount of wetness or tears
sensitivity to light
Eye redness
Yellow crusts or discharge over the eyelashes
It’s important to see your eye doctor as soon as possible if you or anyone in your family are experience any symptoms.
According to the American Journal of Infection Control, “more than 164 million school days are missed annually in U.S. public schools due to the spread of infectious diseases. An astonishing 3 million of those school days are lost as a result of acute conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye.”
Steps for preventing and dealing with pink eye.
Frequently wash your hands with soapy water, use hand sanitizer when you’re not able to wash your hands.
Avoid using any eye make up when you have pink eye and throw out any contaminate eye make up.
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses until the infection is cleared.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, pink eye is easily transmitted.
Avoid work or school until you’ve had at 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
Pink eye can affect all ages and if left untreated can become a serious issues, diagnosis begins with a visit to Lake Nona Eye Care.
Contact Dr. Ward and the professional team at Lake Nona Eye Care for an appointment today.