Conjunctivitis / Red Eye

Conjunctivitis better known as Red Eye, is redness and soreness of the clear layer covering called the conjunctiva which coats the white of the eye and the eye lids. Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease in the western hemisphere and varies in severity from mild inflammation with tearing to a severe inflammation that causes tissue injury and tissue death. It is usually caused by allergies, bacteria, viruses, or chemicals. Bacterial conjunctivitis presents with a red eye, pus discharge, a gritty sensation, and occasionally sticking shut of the eyelids. Viral conjunctivitis follows an upper respiratory infection such as the common cold.