Can You Get a Cold in Your Eye?

It is possible to get a cold in your eye. The condition is called conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye. The reason pink eye is also often referred to as an "eye cold" is because its infectious agent is typical of a common cold.

Affected Eye Area

• An eye cold affects the fluids and moist tissues (conjunctiva) that line the inner eye lid and cover the eye. Eye colds might begin in one eye but can spread to both eyes.

Prognosis

• The condition is not dangerous and does not imply eye or vision problems, since the actual eyeball is unaffected. The condition and symptoms, while mildly disruptive, like a cold, are not difficult to treat and cure.

Types

• An eye cold is most often either bacterial or viral, with symptoms and treatments varying slightly. Eye colds can also be chlamydic (associated with the sexually transmitted disease) or triggered by an allergic reaction.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of an eye cold include redness, swelling, burning, eye irritation, itching, excessive tearing and/or discharge, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.

Treatment

• Strict hygiene is imperative. Antibiotic drops are used to treat bacterial eye cold symptoms, although 64 percent of infections clear up on their own within a few days, according to NetDoctor.co.uk. Eye lubricants are used to reduce symptoms.

Considerations

• Eye colds are extremely contagious, so it is important for patients to be cautious about cleanliness, personal hygiene and shared items.