Types of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Overview

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelid. When the conjunctiva becomes irritated and inflamed, the small blood vessels become more visible, causing the white part of the eye to appear red or pink. Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye.

There are different types of pink eye. They have different causes and thus, may have different treatments. Some types are contagious (easily spread from person to person). Here are the different types of conjunctivitis:

Viral Conjunctivitis

Pink eye is most commonly caused by a viral infection.
Viral conjunctivitis is very contagious. It is spread through hand-to-eye contact by hands contaminated with a virus.
Viral conjunctivitis may occur with other conditions, such as with cold, flu, or measles.
Viral pink eye often requires no treatment. It goes away on its own.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is cause by bacterial infection.
It is very contagious. It is spread by hand-to-eye contact, eye contact with an object contaminated with bacteria, eye-to-genital contact, or respiratory droplet contact with the eye
Bacterial pink eye may have sticky pus or eye discharge as a symptoms.
Bacterial causes of bacterial conjunctivitis include Haemophilus influnzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Staphylococcus aureus. Chlamydia trachomatis may occur in neonates born to mothers with chlamydia infection and in sexually active people with chlamydia infection.
Bacterial pink eye is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops.

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis or Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

This type of conjunctivitis is commonly caused by pollen, especially in countries with cold winters.
Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Symptoms include sneezing, an itchy, blocked, or runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes.
It is also known as hay fever and usually occurs during the spring and summer months when plants, grass, trees, and flowers release pollen.
Some people may experience symptoms during early fall as well.
Risk factors for allergic conjunctivitis are having allergy-related conditions such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema.

Contact Conjunctivitis

Also known as contact dermatoconjunctivitis, this type of conjunctivitis is caused by irritants such as cosmetics, eye-drops, or other chemicals that come into contact with the eyes.
People who are susceptible to these substances may experience an allergic response.
Symptoms typically develop 2 to 4 days after coming into contact with the irritant.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

This type of conjunctivitis often occurs in individuals who wear contact lenses.
It starts with discomfort caused by the contact lenses and can progressively worsen over time.
The eyes become red and increasingly uncomfortable.

In addition to these types, there are other subtypes of conjunctivitis that have specific characteristics, including:

Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis: Similar to seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, but symptoms last all year round due to exposure to allergens like dust, mites, mold, and pet dander.
Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis: This is a bilateral inflammation of the conjunctiva and eyelids associated with atopic dermatitis (a skin condition). It is a type I hypersensitivity disorder.
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva occurring in individuals with an atopic terrain. It can cause conjunctival scarring and corneal complications.
Infectious conjunctivitis caused by fungal or parasite infection may occur but are not common.

All types of conjunctivitis share common symptoms such as redness of the eyes and discomfort. However, each type has unique characteristics based on its underlying cause. If you experience any symptoms of conjunctivitis or have concerns about your eye health, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment options tailored to your specific needs.