What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

The symptoms of conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, primarily include redness, itching, and discharge from the eye. Redness occurs due to the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and inside the eyelids. Itching is a typical sensation that patients experience, often caused by allergens or irritants. The discharge can vary in consistency and color depending on whether the conjunctivitis is viral, bacterial, or allergic, with bacterial conjunctivitis often producing a thicker, yellowish discharge.

Light sensitivity and nausea, blurred vision and halos, as well as swelling and pain in the eyelid can relate to other ocular issues but are not characteristic signs of conjunctivitis itself. For instance, light sensitivity can indicate corneal issues, while swelling and pain typically suggest more severe conditions or inflammation affecting deeper structures of the eye. Understanding these specific symptoms of conjunctivitis helps in its diagnosis and differentiating it from other eye ailments.