Anytime kids are cooped up, there is increased risk of pink eye. Your Doctors of Optometry Dr. Ed Mills and Dr. Christopher Mills at Mills Eye Care in Mooresville, NC, have answers for your frequently asked questions about this common eye care condition.
What is pink eye?
Pink eye is a bacterial or viral infection of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. Its distinctive symptom is that it turns the whites of the eyes pink. There can also be itching, burning, swelling, and water eyes. Pink eye infects people of all ages, but it is most common in children under the age of 12.
Is pink eye contagious?
Pink eye is highly contagious. It is spread by contact with the watery secretions from infected eyes, even before symptoms begin to appear. Towels, pillowcases, bed linens, clothing, and hands can all be infected and spread the disease.
How can I stop the spread of pink eye?
The single most important thing you can do to stop the spread of pink eye is to wash your hands before and after you touch your face, and before and after you help your child with washing their face or brushing their teeth. It’s also important that no one in your household shares wash cloths, bed linens and pillowcases, and any clothing that touches the face. If you wear contact lenses and any member of your household comes down with pink eye, it’s a good idea to wear eye glasses for a while, both to minimize contact with germs and to keep you from touching your eyes without thinking about it.
Do I need to see my Doctor of Optometry about pink eye?
Doctors of Optometry do a lot more than just provide prescriptions for eye glasses. They can screen you for pink eye and other conditions and help you find appropriate treatment, no matter what your eye care needs are. It’s always a good idea to check in with your Doctor of Optometry.
Mills Eye Care Is Available for All Your Eye Care Needs
Dr. Ed Mills and Dr. Christopher Mills can help you with all of your eye care needs. We proudly serve as your Mooresville and Lake Norman Communities Optometrists. Call us at (704) 664-9121 to request an appointment. Our offices are located at 492 Williamson Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117.