You wake up, look in the mirror, and see a red, irritated eye staring back at you. Not a good way to start your day! Your first thought might be pink eye (conjunctivitis), a common and often contagious infection caused by bacteria and viruses. c For some patients, red eyes can be a sign of a more advanced problem.
So what other conditions can masquerade as pink eye? Several other eye conditions—from dry eye disease to allergies or even inflammation inside the eye—can cause redness and discomfort that mimic pink eye. The team at Bella Vision can help you understand the subtle differences and find the right path to relief with comprehensive eye care.
Recognize the Signs of Pink Eye
You may experience several symptoms when your eyes are red and irritated. Because many different eye issues share the same signs, it can be hard to know the cause without evaluation in person. Common symptoms often include:
- Red or pink color in the white of the eye
- Pain
- Swollen eyelids
- A feeling that something is in your eye
- Gritty or irritated sensation
- Watery discharge or tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Sudden changes in your vision
A Guide to Pink Eye Types
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, occurs when the thin layer covering the white part of your eye, the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. The cause of the inflammation determines the type of pink eye you have.
Viral Pink Eye
This type of conjunctivitis is highly contagious. It typically causes a watery discharge and may start in one eye before spreading to the other. It can occur while sick, but most people get viral conjunctivitis after touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eye.
Bacterial Pink Eye
Caused by bacteria, this form of pink eye often creates a thicker, pus-like discharge. It can sometimes happen along with an ear infection, is more common with contact lens wearers and is also considered to be highly contagious.
Allergic Pink Eye
This type is not contagious. It is your body’s reaction to allergens like pollen or dust and usually affects both eyes at the same time.
Rosacea Conjunctivitis
This type of “pink eye” is also not contagious, is highly underdiagnosed and a condition I see often in our clinic. Patients who have facial rosacea are more likely to develop ocular rosacea, where the irregular teleangiectasia migrates from the nose and cheek areas to the eyelids. Proper treatment is essential as this type of pink eye can cause chronic redness, pain, dry eye, styes and reduced vision.
Eye Conditions That Look Like Pink Eye
Several other eye conditions cause redness and irritation, which can make you think you have pink eye. To find relief, you need to know the true source of your discomfort, which starts with a proper eye disease diagnosis.
Dry Eyes
You may have dry eye if your tears do not lubricate your eyes properly. This can happen if you do not produce enough tears or if your tears evaporate too quickly due to poor tear quality. Symptoms can feel a lot like pink eye, such as:
- Redness
- A gritty or burning feeling
- Watery eyes that still feel irritated
- Vision that changes when you blink
Blepharitis / Demodex
If your eyelids are inflamed, blepharitis may be the cause. It affects the oil glands along your lash line and can cause frustrating symptoms that you might mistake for an infection. Demodex are microscopic mites that live on our face and eyelids. An imbalance of demodex mites can cause an increase in styes/hordeolum, which exacerbate dry eye symptoms.
- Itchy or red eyelids
- Swelling
- A stinging sensation
- Crusty flakes at the base of your eyelashes
- Styes / Hordeolum / Chalazion
Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation in the middle layer of your eye, called the uvea. This condition is less common but can be serious, with symptoms that include:
- Photophobia (light sensitivity)
- Eye pain – around the eyelid and orbit, most commonly
- Severe eye redness
- Blurred vision
- Floaters in your vision
The Difference Between Eye Allergies & Infections
While allergic conjunctivitis is technically a type of pink eye, it is not contagious like its viral and bacterial cousins. This is an important distinction. Your red, itchy eyes from allergies cannot spread to family or friends. Antihistamines may help, but an eye doctor can suggest specific drops for more direct relief.
How Bella Vision Can Help
With so many conditions that share symptoms, a comprehensive evaluation by your eye doctor can help determine the root cause of your discomfort. Our optometrists at Bella Vision have the expertise and knowledge to diagnose these complex conditions and find the real reason for your discomfort. This is especially important for contact lens wearers, who may have a higher chance of developing a corneal ulcer.
An accurate diagnosis means you get the right treatment plan. Our eye care team can help you find relief for anything from a simple infection to managing dry eye disease, ocular disease, or vision rehabilitation needs.
What To Do For Your Red & Irritated Eyes
While you wait for your appointment, a few things might help you feel more comfortable. To avoid making things worse or spreading a possible infection, you can:
- Apply a cool compress to your eyes.
- Use preservative-free artificial tears.
- Wash your hands often, especially before and after touching your face.
- Avoid sharing towels, pillows, or eye makeup.
These steps can provide temporary relief, but getting a clear diagnosis is the next step toward feeling better. For a comprehensive eye exam to understand your eye health and get the personalized care you need, schedule an appointment with the team at Bella Vision.
