When it comes to your child’s eyes, you want the
best in care. Michael C. Shulkin, OD, and the
outstanding team of providers at Santa Rosa
Optometry provide exceptional pediatric eye care
in a warm, friendly environment. Regular eye
exams ensure that any vision problems your child
may have can be identified and corrected before
they interfere with learning to read and other
schoolwork. To schedule a pediatric eye exam,
call the Santa Rosa, California, office today,
or make an appointment online.
Pink Eye
What is pink eye?
One of the most common eye problems in both children and
adults is conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
When the tissue that covers the white part of your eye,
the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed, it causes your eye to
become irritated and appear more pink or red than usual.
What are the symptoms of pink eye?
In addition to a red or pink appearance, common symptoms
of pink eye include:
Watering
Itchiness
Eye pain or burning
Blurry vision
Light sensitivity
Crusty discharge
If you have pink eye, you may also have a constant
sensation that something is in your eye that you can’t
dislodge.
What causes pink eye?
Most cases of pink eye are caused by a virus; children
frequently get viral conjunctivitis in school
environments. Viral pink eye can affect one or both eyes
and may be accompanied by other symptoms of an upper
respiratory infection such as a sore throat. Bacterial
pink eye is also a contagious disease that spreads
easily.
Other causes of pink eye include allergies, foreign
objects in the eyes, and chemical or environmental
irritants.
What treatments are available for pink eye?
The team of skilled providers at Santa Rosa Optometry
can treat all types of pink eye effectively so you can
find fast relief from uncomfortable symptoms. Different
types of medicated eye drops are available, including:
Antibiotic eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis
Antiviral eye drops for viral conjunctivitis
Antihistamine and/or steroid eye drops for allergic
conjunctivitis
Left untreated, pink eye can affect your vision and
could cause damage to your cornea. If you have symptoms
of pink eye, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam at
Santa Rosa Optometry right away for an expert
evaluation.
Can pink eye be prevented?
Because most cases of pink eye are contagious viral or
bacterial infections, the best way to prevent the spread
of pink eye is to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands
often, avoid touching your eyes, and never share eye
cosmetics, washcloths, or pillowcases.
If you or your child has symptoms of pink eye, don’t
wait to schedule an eye exam. Call Santa Rosa Optometry
today, or make an appointment online.
