Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is a common condition that causes redness, irritation, and discomfort in the eyes. While it often clears up on its own, its symptoms can overlap with other eye issues, leading to confusion.
Here are 7 conditions commonly misdiagnosed as pink eye:
- Allergies
- Dry eye syndrome
- Keratitis
- Styes
- Blepharitis
- Iritis
- COVID-19-related Pink Eye
In this blog, we’ll help you figure out how to tell if you’re dealing with pink eye or one of these other conditions.
What is Pink Eye?
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eyeball. This inflammation makes the blood vessels in the eye more visible, giving the eye its characteristic “pink” or “red” appearance.
7 Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye
While pink eye is a well-known condition, other eye issues can present similarly, causing confusion. Here are seven conditions that are often misdiagnosed as pink eye:
1. Allergies
Allergies, especially seasonal ones, can cause symptoms like redness, watering, and itching of the eyes, similar to pink eye. When you’re exposed to allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander, your body releases histamines, which inflame the conjunctiva. Unlike pink eye, allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes and is often paired with sneezing and a stuffy nose.
How to tell the difference: If your symptoms are related to an allergic reaction, the eye irritation is often intermittent and closely tied to exposure to allergens. Antihistamines or allergy eye drops may help relieve the symptoms.
2. Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, redness, and a gritty feeling in the eyes. This can be mistaken for pink eye, especially if the eyes appear red and inflamed. Unlike pink eye, dry eyes often have a “foreign body” sensation and are worse in dry, windy, or air-conditioned environments.
How to tell the difference: If you experience persistent dryness, a sensation of something in your eye, or discomfort in specific environments, dry eye syndrome may be the cause. Artificial tears, lubricating eye drops, and in-office procedures can provide relief.
3. Keratitis
Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. It can be caused by infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal) or injury. Keratitis shares some symptoms with pink eye, such as redness, irritation, and light sensitivity. However, keratitis often causes more severe pain and blurred vision that may lead to scarring if left untreated.
How to tell the difference: If your eye pain is more intense than what you would expect from pink eye, or if you notice blurred vision and sensitivity to light, you may have keratitis. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent long-term damage.
4. Stye (Hordeolum)
A stye is a painful bump that forms at the edge of the eyelid, typically caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland. It can cause localized redness, swelling, and discomfort, making it easy to confuse with pink eye. However, a stye is usually not associated with widespread redness or discharge from the eye itself.
How to tell the difference: If you notice a pimple-like bump on your eyelid that is tender to the touch, it’s likely a stye. Pink eye, on the other hand, typically affects the entire eye and causes discharge from the eye.
5. Blepharitis
Blepharitis is when the edges of your eyelids get inflamed, often due to an overgrowth of bacteria or skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis. It can cause redness, irritation, and a gritty feeling in your eyes, which can easily be confused with pink eye.
How to tell the difference: If you have persistent eyelid irritation or crusting along the lash line, you may be dealing with blepharitis rather than pink eye. Blepharitis tends to affect the eyelids directly, while pink eye primarily affects the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white of the eye.
6. Iritis
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the coloured part of the eye. It causes symptoms such as redness, pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Iritis can be mistaken for pink eye because of the redness and discomfort, but it tends to be more localized around the iris and pupil, rather than widespread in the conjunctiva.
How to tell the difference: If you experience pain, light sensitivity, and vision changes along with redness, it could be iritis. Iritis is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention, as it can lead to long-term vision problems if untreated.
7. COVID-19-Related Pink Eye
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus could cause conjunctivitis, or “COVID pink eye” in some people. This type of pink eye usually causes redness, irritation, and watery eyes. It can happen along with other COVID-19 symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue, or it might show up on its own.
How to tell the difference: If you have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a cough, fever, or body aches, along with red, watery eyes, it’s essential to consider the possibility of COVID-19-related conjunctivitis. A COVID test and consultation with your healthcare provider can help confirm the diagnosis.
How Do You Tell If You Have Pink Eye or Just an Irritated Eye?
It can be difficult to distinguish between a simple eye irritation and pink eye, as both can cause redness and discomfort. Pink eye is usually associated with additional symptoms like discharge (either watery or mucus-like), itchy or gritty eyes, and sometimes swelling of the eyelids. If you experience redness and irritation without discharge or if symptoms seem to improve or worsen depending on the environment, it might just be irritation rather than a full-fledged infection like pink eye.
Are There Other Eye Infections Besides Pink Eye?
Yes, there are many other types of eye infections besides pink eye. These include conditions like keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), and endophthalmitis (a severe infection inside the eye). Each of these requires different treatments and may present with symptoms such as pain, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light.
Is It Pink Eye or Another Eye Condition?
If you’re experiencing eye irritation and aren’t sure if it’s pink eye or another condition, don’t hesitate to consult a qualified optometrist. At St. Marys Optometry in St. Marys Ont, we offer comprehensive eye exams to diagnose and treat various eye conditions. Schedule an appointment today to get the proper care for your eyes!
