Pink eye or conjunctivitis can be an irritating condition, but it’s not always cause for concern. Let’s take a look at what pink eye is, the steps you can take at home, and when you need to seek professional eye care to manage the condition. At Livermore Optometry Group in San Francisco, we provide quality eye care for a variety of conditions, including pink eye.

Pink Eye

What Is Pink Eye?

Pink eye is a condition of the eye normally caused by bacteria or viruses, though it can also be due to allergic reactions and irritation from chemicals. It causes inflammation in the eyelids and parts of the eye. This leads to itchiness, burning, redness, and watery eyes. Many people also find the infected eye or eyes difficult to open in the mornings due to discharge that has dried overnight.

Steps to Take At Home

In most cases, proper hygiene and a few extra steps can relieve pink eye. It’s essential to wash your hands often and try to avoid touching your eyes as much as possible. Washing your sheets and pillowcases each day – while it may seem excessive – can also help. Clean bedding can reduce the risk of the bacteria spreading to others.

Compresses on the infected eye throughout the day can provide relief. You can use cool or warm compresses – according to your comfort. Just don’t make them too cold or too hot. Leave the compress on for a few minutes at a time. Some people find eye drops helpful in relieving itchiness. You will also want to avoid using contacts until the infection is gone. Most cases of pink eye will go away in about seven to ten days.

When to Seek Eye Care for Pink Eye

Some cases of pink eye need intervention from an optometrist. If any of the following describe your condition, make an appointment with one of our eye doctors as soon as possible:

  • It has not gone away after the seven to ten day period.
  • You’re experiencing facial pain and fever.
  • Your vision is affected – namely, you suddenly notice double vision, blurred vision, or some level of vision loss.
  • Your eye hurts around bright light.

There are plenty of professional treatment methods available. These include prescription eye drops, ointments, and oral medicine to fight the virus or bacteria.

Get Pink Eye Treatment in Livermore, CA

If you’ve noticed any of the signs that we have mentioned, our team at Livermore Optometry Group can help. Call our team today at (925) 447-3883 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.

Hours of Operation

Holiday hours may vary.

Monday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 1:30 pm
Sunday
Closed

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