Dr. Wojton provides urgent care for problems such as “pink eye”, red eyes, foreign bodies in the eyes, scratched corneas, and new flashes/floaters.
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis means “inflammation of the conjunctiva”, which is a thin layer of tissue overlying the white part of the eye (the sclera). Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye and can be caused by bacteria, allergies, and viruses. Like the common cold, most cases of conjunctivitis are viral in nature, meaning that an antibiotic eye drop, which is commonly prescribed, is unnecessary. One should be careful at self-diagnosing, as there are many other reasons which cause eyes to become red, especially in a contact lens wearer.
What are Flashes and Floaters?
As we age, parts of the clear gel inside our eye (the vitreous) begin to turn from a gel to a liquid. As the gel changes consistency, it can cast a shadow on the retina which appear as tiny gnats, dots, squiggly lines or other shapes. Flashes of light occur in the peripheral vision as the vitreous pulls on the retina. A new onset of flashes and/or floaters requires immediate care. Many times the cause is a relatively benign condition called a vitreous detachment. But sometimes they can be the result of a more serious cause such as a retinal tear or detachment.