Pink eye is a common health condition that anybody of any age is at risk of catching. Fortunately, this is not a serious health issue and will not normally cause too many problems for you if you do get it. Although it is not a serious illness, it is still, of course, a good idea to avoid it if you can.
What Is Pink Eye?
Also known as conjunctivitis, pink eye can leave the eyes feeling red, sore, itchy, and sticky. It can also cause a sensitivity to light.
The pink eye develops when the thin membranes of the eyelids become infected or inflamed. This will usually be because of the presence of bacteria or because of an allergic reaction.
This condition can be acute or chronic. Acute pink eye will likely last less than a week and will be fairly simple to manage, whereas chronic pink eye can last for several weeks and may also reoccur regularly. Chronic pink eye can be much more challenging to manage and treat.
You might be surprised to learn that certain sexual health issues can contribute to conjunctivitis.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to the onset of a hazardous type of pink eye. Pink eye caused by gonorrhea can develop into vision loss if left untreated. Pink eye can also be a side effect of chlamydia, although this will be in a less serious form than associated with gonorrhea.
Protecting Against Pink Eye
Keeping bacteria away from the eyes is a good way to help protect against this common ailment. You can try to do this by washing your hands regularly and engaging in other good hygiene practices.
A number of irritants can contribute to conjunctivitis; these include:
- Dirt
- Smoke
- Shampoo
- Chlorine
Although it is not always possible to completely avoid these irritants, you can try to avoid letting them get in your eyes and to wash your eyes as soon as possible if it does happen.
Optimum Eye Health
Although one incidence of conjunctivitis is not serious, it can become an issue if you experience a more dangerous version of this ailment.
Conjunctivitis that is caused by a sexually transmitted infection can harm the cornea and therefore compromise your eyesight. This happens if the cornea becomes scarred as a result of this condition.
Taking care of the health of your eyes will help to protect your vision as you get older. Losing your sight at any age can be a huge problem and can affect your ability to lead an independent life.
This means that if you do develop pink eye or any other eye-related health concern, that you should do your best to treat it as soon as possible.
Untreated eye conditions will not only cause you concern in the present but could lead to more complicated issues in the future. So, take good care of your eyes and address any problems as they arise; this can help you to enjoy good vision long into your senior years.
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