Conjunctivitis Diagnosis & Treatment

At Eye 1st Vision Center in Sandy Springs, GA--also serving Brookhaven, Marietta, Roswell, and surrounding Atlanta communities. Our eye care team believes that knowledge is key for maximizing eye health. After all, the more our patients know about common eye health diseases, then the more likely they'll be able to prevent it and/or seek help for it when needed. 

Conjunctivitis is one such disease that has affected hundreds of our patients over the years. It's quite common, and especially affects young children. For this reason, it's extremely important to be aware of the signs of conjunctivitis so that you'll know to seek treatment as soon as possible if you notice these warning signs in yourself or your loved ones. Keep reading to learn more. 

What Exactly is Conjunctivitis, Anyway? 

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, happens when the thin transparent membrane (called conjunctiva) covering the inner eyelids and whites of your eyes, becomes infected, irritated, and inflamed.

In most cases, conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, although allergies (to things like cosmetics, chlorine and other chemicals, smoke, pollen, and pet dander) may also be the cause. 

Warning Signs & Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

If you notice any of the following issues in you or your loved one, then we encourage you to call Eye 1st Vision Center as soon as possible to schedule an eye exam:

• Red and itchy eyes
• The feeling of "grittiness" in one or both eyes
• Excessive watery discharge
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Swollen eyelids

How Our Sandy Springs Eye Doctor Can Help You With Conjunctivitis

Seeking professional help quickly is crucial because conjunctivitis/pink eye can be highly contagious. You are at risk for spreading an eye infection to others as long as 2 weeks after your first symptoms present!

Sandy Springs eye doctor, Dr. George Shida, has been a practicing clinician for over 36 years. He's worked with literally thousands of people struggling with conjunctivitis. While this condition doesn't typically cause vision impairments, it's exquisitely uncomfortable and can lead to serious eye health concerns if the infection and inflammation are left untreated.  

Depending on the cause of your conjunctivitis, your treatment may include things like medicated eye drops and ointments, removal of known irritants, and the use of glasses instead of contact lenses (at least until the infection goes away).

Schedule an Appointment with our Sandy Springs Optometrist 

Do you think you or your child may have conjunctivitis? Don't wait and see. Call our Sandy Springs optometry clinic at 404-252-1702 to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor now!