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Pink Eye

Pink Eye

Pink Eye, also know as conjunctivitis, is a very common eye condition in which the normally clear mucus membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface, known as the conjunctiva, becomes swollen and red or pinkish in color.

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What Causes Pink Eye?

Most cases of pink eye are caused by viral or bacterial infections, dry eyes from lack of tears or exposure to the elements, chemicals or smoke, or allergies.

Pink eye caused by viruses or bacteria is highly contagious, and keeping it from spreading is extremely important. This is especially true since there is usually no medical treatment, and waiting it out is the only way to be rid of it. Viral and bacterial pink eye is the leading type and is most often spread through poor hand washing or sharing an object like a washcloth or towel with someone that has pink eye.

What Are The Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis?

With viral and bacterial pink eye, one should expect swelling and itching of the eyelids, watery eyes and clear or slightly thick drainage. This drainage may also cause the eyelids to stick together when a person first wakes up in the morning or after a nap.

This type of pink eye usually runs its course over 5 to 7 days, but has been known to sometimes last as much as 3 weeks and may become ongoing or chronic. A person is usually able to return to work or school as symptoms begin to fade.

Other types of pink eye, caused by non-bacterial and non-viral irritants usually don't last as long and fade more quickly, with fewer symptoms.

Prevent Spreading By Following A Few Simple Rules

If you have pink eye, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent spreading it:

  • Wash your hands before or after touching the eyes or face.
  • Do not share eye makeup
  • Do no wear eye makeup while still suffering from pink eye, since you run the risk of re-infecting yourself.
  • Do not wear contact lenses while still infected, since you may make the infection worse or re-infect yourself.
  • Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels, and washcloths daily.
  • When cleaning drainage out from your eye, always clean from inside, toward your nose, to the outside, toward your cheek.

Fortunately, pink eye is not a serious illness, and patience and a bit of caution is all you require, in most cases, to get through it. For more information, contact your eye doctor in Milton today.

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WHAT IS A SOLAR ECLIPSE?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun and casts a shadow over Earth.

When is the eclipse happening?

In Ontario, the solar eclipse is expected to start at 2:04 p.m. and last for about two and a half hours on Monday, April 8.

Tips for Safe Solar Eclipse Viewing:

  1. Use specifically designed solar filters, like those found in “eclipse glasses” or handheld viewers.
  2. Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the eclipse, even if they are dark.
  3. Avoid purchasing cheap eclipse glasses from unauthorized vendors online to prevent the risk of buying unsafe or counterfeit glasses.
  4. Authentic solar filters should only allow you to see the sun or equally bright light, not ordinary lights.
  5. Inspect your solar filter or eclipse glasses for damage before use, avoiding any scratched or dented devices.
  6. Never look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, or binoculars, as they intensify light rays and can damage your eyes.
  7. Eye damage from unsafe eclipse viewing may occur 4 to 12 hours after exposure.
  8. Protect your eyes by sharing this information with family and friends.