Conditions of the Eye

We are going to start by differentiating the two most commonly mistaken eye conditions:  The stye and pink eye. If you have ever been around someone who has a stye, most likely you have heard that they are contagious, and in most cases are spoke of as if they are pink eye, or the same condition all together. This is not true.

Stye

A stye is not contagious. No need to run to the eye doctor. A stye often appears as a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid, caused by an infected eyelash follicle.

Resolution: Place a warm compress over your eye as often as possible. Avoid makeup application until your eye is healed. Consider a different brand of makeup, it is possible the makeup clogs pores.

If the stye does not heal or becomes larger see a doctor, your gland may be severely clogged and need to be drained. The draining process can seem scarier or more serious than it is, but should be done by a steady careful hand. To drain the stye simply puncture the stye and allow the fluid to drain. Cleaning the area and keeping clean will keep from further infection. Washing hands regularly and not touching your face are always good practices to have but should be followed religiously to prevent further infection.

Pink Eye

Also called Conjunctivitis pink eye is redness and swelling of the mucous membrane that lines the eye and eye lid. When this happens the eye appears pink. As painful and uncomfortable pink eye can be pink eye is not a serious condition and usually will subside in 5-10 days without medical assistance.

In some cases it can become too painful or last longer than expected. Usually in toddlers who will continue to rub and touch, further spreading from one eye to the next. You can get pink eye from bacteria, and viruses. Chemicals, smoke, and fumes.Allergies. Not all pink eye is contagious, however viral and bacterial pink eye is very contagious.

Symptoms include:

Eyes that are matted together when waking

Redness in the white of the eye.

Swelling of the eyelids.

Itching or burning feeling of the eyelids.

Swollen and tender areas in front of the ears.

A lot of tearing.

Clear or slightly thick, whitish drainage.

Resolution: Pink eye in most cases will cure within a week, but eye drops can be prescribed in more serious cases in which the condition last longer than 5-10 days. Washing hands regularly. Tossing makeup applicators, washing brushes and replenishing any eye makeup with new product can prevent the spread of the condition as well as prevent the condition from occurring in the future.

For any eye health issues you can contact our Eye Care Center in Atlanta.