Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Photo showing pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

The most common pink eye symptoms include:

  • Redness in one or both eyes
  • Itchiness in one or both eyes
  • A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
  • A discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night
  • Tearing

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms you think might be pink eye. Pink eye can be highly contagious for as long as two weeks after signs and symptoms begin. With an early diagnosis you can protect people around you from contracting pink eye, get treatment to help you cope with your symptoms and reduce your risk of complications.

References
  1. Conjunctivitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/asset.axd?id=70977954-f688-41e3-a009-d2beb86765a9. Accessed April 26, 2010.
  2. Jacobs DS. Conjunctivitis. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  3. Care of the patient with conjunctivitis. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-11.pdf. Accessed April 26, 2010.
  4. Conjunctivitis. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/conjunctivitis.xml. Accessed April 26, 2010.
  5. Conjunctiva/sclera/iris/external disease. In: Ehlers JP, et al. The Wills Eye Manual: Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&NEWS=N&PAGE=booktext&D=books&AN=01337416/5th_Edition/3&XPATH=/OVIDBOOK%5b1%5d/METADATA%5b1%5d/TBY%5b1%5d/EDITORS%5b1%5d. Accessed April 26, 2010.
  6. Olitzky SE, et al. Disorders of the conjunctiva. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/189473994-2/0/1608/0.html#. Accessed April 26, 2010.
  7. Koby M. Conjunctivitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-2/0/2088/0.html#. Accessed April 26, 2010.
  8. Kapadia MK, et al. Evaluation and management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2006;39:959.
DS00258 May 22, 2010

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