EYE CARE Q: What is pink eye? A: Pink eye is a viral infection on the front of the eye called viral conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is when the white part of the eye appears red or pink. It can be caused by allergies, bacterial infection, contact lens overwear, viral infection, or a foreign body in Dr. Kynndyl the eye. Because there are a lot of different reasons the eye can be red, it's important to see your eye doctor to determine the reason so that you can get proper treatment. Viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) is contagious. It can spread through direct and indirect contact with the infected eye. This means that if someone with pink eye touches their eye and doesn't wash their hands, anything they touch is now also contagious. The best prevention is hand washing before and after you touch around your eyes. If you or someone in your household, daycare, or school has pink eye it's important to clean all handles, switches, toys, and hard surfaces with disinfectant. Throw away eye make-up, clean your glasses, and wash hand towels. If you wear contacts: throw away the pair you had been wearing, see your eye doctor, and wait until the infection clears before wearing contacts again. If you or your child has pink eye, see your eye doctor or schedule an appointment with us. Giannonatti Optometrist WHELAN Eye Care 1900 DIVISION ST. W, BEMIDJI, MN (218) 759-1430 WHELANEYECARE.COM EYE CARE Q: What is pink eye? A: Pink eye is a viral infection on the front of the eye called viral conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is when the white part of the eye appears red or pink. It can be caused by allergies, bacterial infection, contact lens overwear, viral infection, or a foreign body in Dr. Kynndyl the eye. Because there are a lot of different reasons the eye can be red, it's important to see your eye doctor to determine the reason so that you can get proper treatment. Viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) is contagious. It can spread through direct and indirect contact with the infected eye. This means that if someone with pink eye touches their eye and doesn't wash their hands, anything they touch is now also contagious. The best prevention is hand washing before and after you touch around your eyes. If you or someone in your household, daycare, or school has pink eye it's important to clean all handles, switches, toys, and hard surfaces with disinfectant. Throw away eye make-up, clean your glasses, and wash hand towels. If you wear contacts: throw away the pair you had been wearing, see your eye doctor, and wait until the infection clears before wearing contacts again. If you or your child has pink eye, see your eye doctor or schedule an appointment with us. Giannonatti Optometrist WHELAN Eye Care 1900 DIVISION ST. W, BEMIDJI, MN (218) 759-1430 WHELANEYECARE.COM