If you have a discharge from your eye that does not resemble normal watering and it’s accompanied by redness and itching, you probably have a common condition known as conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye. In addition to the redness and discharge, your eye may feel as though there’s grit in it. Although conjunctivitis is uncomfortable and the appearance of a reddened eye may make you want to stay inside until it clears up, pinkeye usually presents no threat to your permanent vision.
Conjunctivitis is easy to spot, but it’s also easy to catch. Young children are extremely prone to conjunctivitis because of their still-developing immune systems and their tendency to share toys that have been contaminated by germs. But adults frequently get pinkeye as well.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by either a bacterial or a viral infection. When a bacterial infection is the culprit, both eyes are usually affected, and there will be a lot of discharge. The discharge will often form a crust while you sleep. A viral infection will cause less discharge, and only one eye tends to be affected.
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