Summer is here with all the summer activies and fun!

Hot lazy days spent snoozing by the pool, playing in the sprinkler or swimming in the lake followed by hamburgers on the grill and corn on the cob. So many good times to be had- you don't want to be sidelined by the dreaded pink eye!

This time of year, it's important be be careful out there and know the risks and how to avoid them.

Conjunctivitis - commonly known as pink eye - is an irritation or infection to the conjunctiva which is the white part of your eye.  It can be bacterial, viral, chemical or even a reaction to allergens. Though the causes can vary, the symptoms are pretty much the same.  Red, swollen, and irritated eyes, usually with a yellow discharge.  It can be mildly uncomfortable or downright painful. You spend a wonderful day at the pool or tubing on the river and wake up the following morning with your eyes "glued" shut by the goopy discharge- not fun.

So, how can we avoid this?

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can spread like wildfire- especially among children or in families.  It is often spread in swimming pools because the viruses and bacteria which cause conjunctivitis can easily survive in chlorinated water.  These bacteria and viruses occur naturally in freshwater lakes and rivers, and can also be present in sprinkler and hose water.  Additionally, chemical pink eye can occur from swimming in water that is too heavily chlorinated.

Here are some tips to help you avoid the dreaded pink and enjoy your summer:

To avoid passing along the infection, try not to rub your eyes. If you do need to rub them, wash hands thoroughly and often.  Change pillowcases, and wash all washcloths and towels used during an infection.  Throw away and replace any eye makeup used before or during an infection and never share eye makeup in general.  This is never a good practice.

Wear goggles when swimming -especially in freshwater. And, after you swim, irrigate or rinse your eyes with a sterile eyewash solution or some artificial tear eyedrops such as Blink or Systane. Avoid using drops like Visine as these can increase irritation.

If you do find yourself suffering from symptoms such as:

*Red or bloodshot eyes

*Vision changes

*Yellow discharge

*Pain

*Light sensitivity

*Excessive tearing

give us a call at either our Brentwood (314-863-0000) or Ellisville (636-256-7800) office to schedule an appointment.

Conjunctivitis can be easily treated with prescription eye drops so you can get back to having fun in the sun!