Everything You Need to Know About Eye Cold

We all have heard about the common cold, but did you know that eyes can catch a cold, too? Eye cold, also known as viral conjunctivitis, makes eyes feel itchy, red and watery. There can be different reasons like viruses, bacteria or allergies, and recognising an eye cold to prevent it from spreading and getting worse is important.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from identifying key symptoms to effective treatments and prevention tips, so you can keep your eyes healthy, clear, and irritation-free.

What is an Eye Cold?

An eye cold is one of the most common types of viral conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye and is mainly of three types, based on the way it affects humans. One form is bacterial, one is allergic, and the final one is viral conjunctivitis. It is an inflammation in the conjunctiva, the layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye (sclera) and the inside of the eyelids.

Cold sore eyes can be quite irritating and may cause significant discomfort. However, unlike bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis typically does not lead to any form of blindness or vision loss.

To learn more, you can check our latest blog on conjunctivitis.

Eye Cold Symptoms

You may feel a gritty feeling in one or both of your eyes. Usually, if eye cold is present in one of the eyes, the other eye can get affected pretty soon, too. Apart from this, you may feel a burning sensation or itching in your eyes. The eyelids might swell, and you may experience watery discharge from your eyes.

There is a big chance that you may develop sudden sensitivity towards light. This issue can be described as pain in the eyes when you look towards a bright light.

What Causes Eye Cold?

Eye cold is caused by airborne viruses; the culprit is the group of adenoviruses. These are the viruses that also cause the common cold. Other viruses that lead to viral conjunctivitis are poxvirus, picornavirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and herpes simplex virus.

All these viruses can spread through sneezes or coughs in the air, and the virus gets into the body through breathing. Another way these viruses can spread is through contact. For example, if you share your makeup, ointments, towels, clothes or anything with the person having an eye cold, you might get affected by the virus too. That’s why it is crucial to take care of your hygiene.

Eye Cold Diagnosis

A doctor will check your medical history as part of the diagnosis. They will then ask and verify your symptoms and may examine your eye for more details. Sometimes, they also collect some part of the discharge from your eyes to examine it further before reaching for conclusion, whether you have an eye cold or not.

How to Get Rid of an Eye Cold?

If you experience any symptoms of an eye cold, it’s crucial to consult an eye care professional. While viral conjunctivitis often resolves on its own, only a qualified specialist can determine whether it’s viral, bacterial, or allergic in nature. Timely diagnosis ensures appropriate treatment and prevents complications, especially if the condition begins to affect vision or spreads to others. Here are some tips you can use to prevent an eye cold-

Practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and often.
Do not touch your eyes with dirty hands.
If you wear contact lenses, make sure you wash your hands properly while putting in contact lenses in your eyes or before removing them.
Never be ignorant about storing your contact lenses properly.
Never share your towels, handkerchiefs, and clothes with other people.
Change your pillow covers and towels regularly.
Do not use eyeglasses or sunglasses used by somebody else.

Wrapping It Up

An eye cold is a common issue, but not something worth ignoring. Understanding the symptoms early and getting an effective treatment can prevent it from spreading. The key part is practising hygiene and avoiding touching your eyes. You should also consider wearing glasses or sunglasses when you go out to avoid any foreign particles from entering your eyes. You can explore thousands of premium and fashion-forward styles on our website. It hardly takes a minute to order a pair of glasses online with our user-friendly interface.