Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, often referred to as “pink eye”, is a general term used to describe irritation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin, colorless membrane that lines the eyelid and a portion of the eyeball. There are several types and causes of conjunctivitis, but most involve first an irritant and then resulting inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Conjunctivitis may result from allergic, bacterial, and viral irritants.

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis usually stems from an air-born irritant such as ragweed, pollen, or mold. When the conjunctiva is exposed to the irritant, a chain of events leads to the swelling, itching, and redness often associated with this form of conjunctivitis. First, the irritant is detected and marked by the body’s immune system as foreign and unlike other cells. Then the target is marked for elimination. Combatant cells, called mast cells, arrive on the scene to remove the foreign attacker.

A similar chain of events occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to bacterial or viral irritants.