People often use “pink eye” as an umbrella term to describe various eye conditions that redden or irritate the eyes. However, pink eye is actually its own condition and requires its own distinct approach for management.
Mislabelling eye redness as pink eye can result in delayed diagnosis and improper treatment, potentially harming vision. To the untrained eye, certain conditions share overlapping symptoms with pink eye, including:
- Blepharitis
- Dry eyes
- Keratitis
- Styes
An accurate diagnosis from your eye doctor will help you receive proper care and prevent the condition from worsening.
Defining Pink Eye
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, occurs when the conjunctiva—a thin, transparent layer covering the whites of the eye and the inside of the eyelids—becomes inflamed, causing small blood vessels in the eye to become more prominent and giving the eye a characteristic “pink appearance”.
Conjunctivitis comes in three main types, each with different causes and treatment. That’s why it’s important to correctly diagnose your condition. The different kinds of conjunctivitis include:
- Viral Conjunctivitis: The most common type, caused by a viral infection. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, but it typically resolves within about two weeks. Viral conjunctivitis can be managed with artificial tears to hydrate the eyes while a cold compress mask relieves irritation.
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Marked by thicker discharge, this develops from a bacterial infection, is highly contagious, and is treated with antibiotic drops and ointments.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis: Caused by allergens like pollen, dander, or dust, this non-contagious form often appears in both eyes and is accompanied by sneezing or nasal congestion. Avoiding or removing known allergens and using antihistamine eye drops helps improve symptoms.
Pink eye is common and can develop in anyone, regardless of age, but it’s most commonly found in children, especially in its highly contagious viral and bacterial forms.
Children are often in close contact with others in schools, daycare, and extracurricular activities and have a habit of rubbing or touching their eyes, which makes it more likely for them to transmit and develop pink eye.
Still, some may question whether specific irritating symptoms and redness are linked to pink eye. Typical symptoms of the condition can include:
- Watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Burning sensation
- Swollen eyes or eyelids
- Increased tearing or watery discharge
- Itchiness or a feeling of grittiness in the eyes
- Yellow or green discharge that can crust the eyelids
Although viral pink eye often resolves without treatment, its bacterial form can lead to severe complications, such as corneal infections or vision concerns, if ignored. Meanwhile, untreated allergic conjunctivitis can worsen allergy symptoms and disrupt daily life.
Early intervention means a faster road to recovery, minimizing overall discomfort, and preventing potential complications. That’s why you should make sure to visit your family doctor or eye doctor.
Eye Conditions Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye
It’s not hard to see why other eye conditions might easily be mistaken for conjunctivitis. Redness, irritation, and discharge are common symptoms shared by multiple.
The eye is a complex, delicate organ, and even minor issues can escalate if not properly addressed. Mistaking pink eye for a minor concern may worsen the condition, contribute to the spread (if it’s contagious), or delay appropriate treatment.
Familiarizing yourself with other conditions mimicking pink eye encourages a proactive approach to timely intervention.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is characterized by inflammation of eyelid margins, whereas pink eye inflames the conjunctiva.
Both eye conditions share overlapping symptoms, including mild eye discharge. However, with blepharitis, some people may wake up to find their eyelids stuck together. Pink eye is more likely to involve contagious infections, whereas blepharitis is a chronic condition linked to concerns like meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), styes, or allergic reactions.
Without proper examination, it may be difficult to distinguish between the localized nature of blepharitis (eyelid margins) and pink eye’s broader and sometimes contagious inflammation.
Dry Eye
Dryness and red eyes are hallmark symptoms of dry eyes, a condition that develops when the balance in the tear film is disrupted, causing the eye to make too few or low quality tears.
The eye compensates for this lack of moisture through symptoms like excessive watering, stinging, or burning. And while it’s normal to experience some discharge with pink eye, this doesn’t develop with dry eyes.
Besides, dry eyes are a chronic condition and certain factors may cause symptoms to worsen. Pink eye, on the other hand, tends to appear suddenly.
Keratitis
Keratitis develops when the cornea becomes inflamed from infectious pathogens like bacteria or parasites and non-infectious factors like injury, improper contact lens use, or exposure to irritants.
Although keratitis and pink eye can share similar symptoms—such as redness, watery discharge, and discomfort—they are distinct and different conditions.
A misdiagnosis can occur in mild cases of keratitis, where corneal damage is not immediately visible. However, a closer examination may show signs like corneal lesions. Alternatively, the sensation of having a foreign object in the eye can also distinguish keratitis from pink eye.
Pink eye is often less severe and more localized compared to keratitis, which affects the deeper corneal tissues, leading to more intense pain and, sometimes, severe complications. Because of keratitis’ more serious nature, it requires specialized treatments.
Styes
A stye is a small, red, and painful bump that resembles a pimple and usually forms near the edge of the eyelid. Styes develop quickly from a bacterial infection in an oil gland or hair follicle in the eyelid with localized pain surrounding the area.
The infamous bump accompanying a style can cause swelling, tenderness, and sometimes pus, as well as irritation, watery eyes, and light sensitivity.
Although they are uncomfortable, styes are generally harmless, and like viral pink eye, they resolve on their own with proper care. However, unlike pink eye, a stye doesn’t cause itchy or watery symptoms.
Uveitis/Iritis
Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea, the eye’s middle layer, while iritis is a specific form of uveitis affecting the iris. These conditions can cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision—symptoms that may initially resemble pink eye.
However, unlike conjunctivitis, uveitis and iritis are often associated with underlying systemic conditions, trauma, or infections and require prompt diagnosis to prevent potential vision complications. A slit lamp examination is essential to accurately distinguish these conditions, highlighting the importance of consulting an eye care professional rather than self-diagnosing potential pink eye.
Protect Your Vision
Red, irritated eyes aren’t always a sign of pink eye, and a misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary discomfort or complications from untreated underlying conditions.
The moment discomforting symptoms appear, connect with our Milton Vision & Sports Vision Training Centre team for an accurate diagnosis.
