EYE, PUS OR DRAINAGE
Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice
Pink-Eye from Viral Conjunctivitis
Symptoms can include:
- Mild discomfort, burning or irritation of the eye(s)
- White portions of the eye(s) may or may not be pink or red
- Eyelids may be puffy due to irritation
- Tearing
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
- Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria. This requires antibiotic treatment.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis typically yellow or yellow-green eye discharge. Patients with bacterial conjunctivitis typically report more pain than patients with the less serious viral conjunctivitis.
Symptom Definition
- Yellow or green discharge (pus) in the eye
- Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes. The eyelashes are especially likely to be matted together following sleep.
- May involve one or both eyes
General Information
- Conjunctivitis is a medical term that means there is irritation or infection involving the white parts of the outer eye and the area under the eyelids.
-
Types of Conjunctivitis:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis (typically, thick white-yellow or green discharge) requires prescription antibiotic eye drops.
- Viral conjunctivitis (thin, clear-white discharge) is often difficult to distinguish from bacterial conjunctivitis, thus antibiotic eye drops are often prescribed.
- Allergic conjunctivitis (itching, clear-white discharge)
- Chemical conjunctivitis from exposure to chemicals, fumes (eye irritation, tearing)
-
"Pink-Eye" is the term used when either a bacterial
or a viral infection is causing the conjunctivitis. Depending on the severity,
symptoms can include:
- Mild discomfort, burning or irritation of the eye(s)
- White portions of the eye(s) may or may not be pink or red
- Eyelids may be puffy due to irritation
- Tearing
- Caution: Individuals with blurred vision or significant eye pain need to be seen by a physician urgently, as significant eye pain and blurred vision do not generally occur in people with conjunctivitis.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- Chemical splashed in eye, read EYE, CHEMICAL IN
- Foreign body present, read EYE, FOREIGN BODY IN
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP
Reviewed 8/2004
Revised 8/2004
See Other Topics: