What causes Pink eye?

Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a condition that develops due to inflammation of inner eyelids, adjoining eye tissues, some of which cover the white portion of the eye. Hence, any factor that could result in swell-up and inflammation of such tissues is what causes pink eye.

What causes pink eye?

There could be a number of reasons behind what causes pink eye. Six prevalent causes of pink eye are:

1. Bacteria
   The eyes turning reddish alongside thick consistency, yellowish or greenish discharge emitted from the eyes or crustiness in the eyes all through the daytime as well as nighttimes is generally pink eye caused due to bacteria which could be linked to throat soreness or respiratory tract infection. There is swelling in the eyelids and a single or both the eyes could be affected. Bacterial conjunctivitis is communicable and could be linked to colds. It is prevalently observed to affect children in greater numbers as compared to adults.
2. Virus
   Intense reddishness in eyes occurs, however there is watery or mucous-like discharge or solely minimal amounts of discharge or crusting noted in the eyes only when one wakes up. In such a case the conjunctivitis is caused due to virus which is vastly infectious and generally known to affect both of the eyes.
3. Allergy
   Seasonally occurring allergic conjunctivitis is prevalent during the spring time. Symptoms like reddish in the eyes, water-like discharge from nose and unusual itchiness develops. It generally is observed to affect both the eyes and is a reaction to an allergen-eliciting substance known as pollen. On contact with the particular allergen, the body would start producing IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibody that offsets specialized cells known as mast cells present in the mucous lining of the eyes and air passages thus releasing inflammation-inducing substances known as histamines. Histamines when released by the body could trigger several signs and symptoms of allergy inclusive of red or pink eye.
4. Foreign Particles or chemical splash
   When foreign particles like particles of sand, mud, dust, dirt get lodged underneath the eyelids it could lead to reddishness, watering, discomforting sensations and discharge. At times the eye could get irritated due to a chemical splash. It generally has been found to affect a single eye. Conjunctivitis developing due to irritation could lead to mucous-like emission from the eyes rather than pus discharge and generally would subside on its own in a day’s time.
5. Plugged or incompletely opened Tear Duct
   This is an issue that affects newly born babies till the age of one year. It causes discharge from the eyes and no reddishness. It has been observed to affect a single or both the eyes.
6. Scratches in the eyes
   A scratched eye could lead to reddishness, watery emission and could be quite excruciating. It is found to affect solely just one eye.

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