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Conjunctivitis

The conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue that lines the inside of your upper and lower eyelids and covers the white part of your eyeball.  When this tissue is inflamed it can be red and swollen. This is called conjunctivitis.  There are many causes of inflammation, including allergic reaction, viruses, bacteria, injury and contact lenses.

 Viral conjunctivitis is sometimes called pink eye.  Many different viruses can cause eye infection. The symptoms of the most common viral infections include redness due to dilated conjunctival blood vessels, swelling, tearing, and crusting on eyelids in the morning.  Most relatively mild infections are caused by adenoviruses, the same types of viruses that can cause cold or flu symptoms.    This mild type of conjunctivitis will clear up on its own without medication within 2 weeks.  Treatment consists of cold compresses and artificial tears for comfort.  To prevent spread of the infection, avoid sharing towels, discard tissues immediately after use on the infected eye and wash your hands before and after touching your eyes.  You are contagious as long as the eyes are red and teary.

 In more severe viral infections, light sensitivity and pain can occur due to involvement of the cornea, the clear lens over the colored part of your eye.  When the cornea is involved, prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops may be necessary to control the infection and inflammation and to provide comfort.

 Bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms include redness and thick yellow discharge during the day as well as crusty eyelids in the morning.  Bacterial infections can be treated with prescription antibiotic eye drops which must be used for 7 days.  After 24 hours of treatment, the discharge should subside and you will no longer be contagious, however, the medication must be used for a full week to kill more resistant bacteria.

 Allergic conjunctivitis can cause redness, itching and stringy discharge.  See our Spring 2009 newsletter for more information on allergies.

 With any conjunctivitis, if you wear contact lenses you should immediately remove the contact lenses at the first sign of redness, discharge or irritation. 

 If you have any symptoms of conjunctivitis or other ocular health problems, please call our office at 913-341-3900 for an appointment.  Dr. Yin is a provider for most major health insurance plans and can efficiently evaluate and treat your eye health problems.

New Frames!

A/X Armani Exchange   Bold styling and temple details make this mid-priced Giorgio Armani line a knockout for contemporary men and women. 

GOLDFINCH   This new collection features retro 50’s and 60’s styling in bold, handmade plastic.  With names such as Depp, Costello, Woody, and Redford, Goldfinch frames offer affordable quality and lots of fun for the young and young-at-heart.  See Tura.com or visit our office for a preview.

NXT Prescription Sunglass Lenses 

NXT is a great lens that is both strong and extremely lightweight, blocks 100% of UVA & UVB rays and is available in both single vision and progressive designs.  It is made with Trivex which is about the same thickness as polycarbonate but has even better optical quality.  It is available in several color options, mirrored, photochromic (changeable tint) and/or polarized.  Polarized photochromic lenses will cut out glare and will darken depending upon the amount of sunlight hitting the lens.  Many prescriptions can be put into the larger sunglass frames giving you great comfort and style and the look of non-prescription sunglasses. Our patients love being able to read outdoors with their progressive sunglasses.  Come in and check out our tint samples to find out which color you prefer.