What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?

Adult eye exam close upWhat Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a common eye condition that many people experience at some point in their lives. It’s typically characterized by redness, itching, and discharge from the eye, often leading individuals to quickly assume they have pink eye. However, several other eye conditions can mimic the symptoms of pink eye, making it easy to misdiagnose. At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, we’re here to help you understand these conditions and provide the right treatment to ensure your eye health.

Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye

1. Allergic Conjunctivitis

One of the most common conditions mistaken for pink eye is allergic conjunctivitis. This type of eye inflammation occurs when your eyes react to allergens such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. Like pink eye, allergic conjunctivitis causes redness, itching, and watery eyes, but it often affects both eyes and is not contagious.

How We Help:
At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, our Optometrists can distinguish between viral or bacterial conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis through a comprehensive eye exam. If allergies are the culprit, we’ll recommend appropriate treatments such as antihistamine eye drops or other medications to relieve your symptoms.

2. Dry Eye DiseaseRadiofrequency being performed to alleviate dry eye symptoms. This treatment provides heat to the meibomian glands to help produce high quality tears.

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to redness, irritation, and a gritty feeling. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for pink eye, especially if you’re experiencing significant discomfort.

How We Help:
Using advanced diagnostic tools like Lipiscan, we evaluate your tear production and gland function to accurately diagnose dry eye disease. Our team can then recommend advanced treatments such as Radio Frequency or Intense Pulse Light to treat dry eye disease. Our Optometrists and Ocular Hygienists may also recommend at home remedies such as warm compress, preservative free artificial tears, or specialized Omega 3 vitamins to manage the symptoms of dry eye disease.

3. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that can cause redness, swelling, and crusting around the eyelashes. The irritation and redness might lead some to believe they have pink eye, but blepharitis is a distinct condition that requires different treatment.

How We Help:
Our Optometrists are skilled at identifying blepharitis through a detailed examination of your eyelids and lashes. We offer effective treatments, such as specialized cleaning routines, medicated eye drops, and in-office procedures to help manage this chronic condition.

4. Foreign Body Sensation

If you have a foreign body in your eye, such as a speck of dust or an eyelash, it can cause redness, tearing, and discomfort similar to pink eye. This sensation can lead you to believe you have conjunctivitis when in reality, the issue is physical irritation.

How We Help:
At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, we can quickly and safely remove foreign objects from your eye and provide treatments to reduce inflammation and prevent infection, ensuring your eye heals properly.

5. Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a small blood vessel breaks just beneath the surface of your eye, leading to a bright red patch on the white part of your eye. Although it may look alarming, it’s usually painless and not related to pink eye.

How We Help:
Our Optometrists can differentiate a subconjunctival hemorrhage from conjunctivitis and reassure you with appropriate care. While this condition often resolves on its own, we’ll monitor it to ensure there are no underlying issues that need attention.

Optometric Assistant performing dry eye testing for eye examHow Sherwood Park Eye Centre Can Help

When it comes to eye health, accurate diagnosis is essential. Misdiagnosing an eye condition as pink eye can lead to ineffective treatment and prolonged discomfort. At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, our experienced Optometrists are trained to assess and treat all types of eye diseases and infections, ensuring you receive the correct diagnosis and the best possible care.

Comprehensive Eye Exams

We offer thorough eye exams that include advanced diagnostic techniques to accurately identify your condition. Whether you’re dealing with pink eye or a different issue, we’ll ensure that you receive the right treatment.

Emergency and Urgent Care

Our staff is highly trained to triage and schedule appointments based on the urgency of your symptoms. If you’re experiencing severe discomfort or sudden changes in your vision, we’ll prioritize your care and get you seen by one of our Optometrists as quickly as possible. Remember to bring your Alberta Health Care card as most of these visits will be covered – and we do the billing for you! Call us at 780-464-4575 and our team will be glad to answer any questions you may have!

Personalized Treatment Plans

Once we’ve identified your condition, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Whether it’s medication, in-office procedures, or ongoing management, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal eye health.

 

At Sherwood Park Eye Centre, we understand that eye conditions can be confusing and uncomfortable, especially when symptoms overlap. If you’re experiencing eye redness, irritation, or other symptoms that you suspect might be pink eye, don’t hesitate to visit us. Our expert team is here to provide accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and compassionate care to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear. Contact our office today to schedule your visit and discover innovative eyecare at Sherwood Park Eye Centre.