Daniella Tebib
News Editor
dtebib@murraystate.edu
Several cases of pink eye have been reported on campus following students’ return from Fall Break.
Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye, is an infection of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white area of the eyeball, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Christopher Lennon, assistant professor of microbiology, said pink eye is conjunctivitis or inflammation of the conjunctiva of one’s eye. The infection is typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection or an allergic reaction. It is extremely common and spreads among people easily.
“Pink eye is highly contagious,” Lennon said. “[It’s] usually spread by hand-to-eye contact, but anything that is contaminated that comes in contact with an eye can lead to infection.”
Symptoms include burning, painful, itchy eye(s) discharging fluid, redness or pink color to the eye(s) and slight blurry vision.
An email sent to faculty, staff and students on Tuesday, Oct. 15 provided ways to prevent the infection. Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly and often, to blow and wipe their noses with tissues, not their hands, to avoid touching their eyes and to not share items with any other person.
Scott Curran, a physician assistant with Primary Care Medical Center, said he recommends those infected should see a health care provider.
“Most of the time pink eye is caused by a virus and will go away on its own, but I would encourage anyone affected to see a health care provider, either at Murray State Health Services, Primary Care, or even a local eye doctor, for a professional opinion,” Curran said. “It is particularly important that you see someone if your vision is changing or you have discharge that has a color, not just clear tears.”
Taylor Robinson, freshman from Owensboro, Kentucky, said she realized she had pink eye when she got back from Fall Break.
“I woke up and my eyelids were stuck together,” Robinson said. “Then, my eye was very red when I finally got it to open.”
Robinson also said she experienced some complications with her medication.
“I got a prescription for [my pink eye], but it turns out I was allergic to the eye drops,” Robinson said.
If students, faculty or staff feel like they have been exposed to pink eye and are experiencing any symptoms, they should visit on campus Health Services or a health care professional to receive a proper evaluation. Primary Care is located on the first floor of Wells Hall and is open from 8 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.