Do I have Pink Eye?

Contributed by: Bryce Morton, Pharm.D. Candidate

KU School of Pharmacy

Text Box: Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is commonly referred to, is inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergens. The conjunctiva is the clear covering over the white part of the eye. Conjunctivitis/pink eye is very contagious if caused by a bacterial or viral agent. It is important to have a doctor evaluate your condition as treatment differs for each of these causes. The way your eye feels can give you or your physician a clue about the cause of your pink eye. What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis? Bacterial conjunctivitis Usually affects both eyes Causes a stringy discharge from the eyes This stringy discharge may cause the eyelids to stick together Viral conjunctivitis Usually affects one eye, but can easily be transmitted to the other eye Causes excessive watering Allergic conjunctivitis Usually affects both eyes Swollen eyelids Causes itching and redness in the eyes and sometimes the nose

Text Box: Giant papillar conjunctivitis (GPC) Usually affects both eyes due to contact lens wear Causes itching and a heavy discharge Red bumps on the underside of the eyelids When should I contact my physician? If there is pain in the eye, rather than irritation If there is a greenish-yellow discharge and does not improve within 24 hours If the problem continues for more than three days or gets progressively worse How is Conjunctivitis Treated? Bacterial conjunctivitis Bacterial conjunctivitis usually requires an antibiotic eye drop by prescription Warm compresses help remove stringy discharge Viral conjunctivitis Viral conjunctivitis has no cure Warm compresses and artificial tears help relieve symptoms Allergic conjunctivitis Keep windows and door closed on days when the pollen is heavy Dust and vacuum frequently to remove potential allergens

Text Box: Allergens such as smoke should be avoided OTC antihistamine eye drops or prescription steroid eye drops or OTC oral antihistamines can be used Giant papillary conjunctivitis Stop wearing your contacts You might need to switch contact types i.e.-soft contacts to gas permeable ones or vice versa How to Avoid Spreading Infection to Others Wash hands frequently and avoid rubbing your eyes Don’t share towels, washcloths, pillowcases, or make-up Used make-up should be thrown away if diagnosed with bacterial or viral conjunctivitis If eye drops are prescribed, the applicator tip should never touch the infected eye Avoid shaking hands For more information visit www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/conjunctivitis.htm or talk with your pharmacist today!

Huntington’s Disease—An Uncommon Disease with Common Symptoms

Contributed by: Christina Mears, Pharm.D. Candidate

UMKC School of Pharmacy

Text Box: What is Huntington’s disease? Huntington’s disease affects an estimated 1 in every 10,000 Americans. This disease breaks down nerve centers of the brain, but the way this happens is not fully understood. This disease can only be passed from parent to child. Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of carrying the gene for Huntington’s disease. If the gene is present, the onset of symptoms will eventually set in. Males and females have the same chance of having affected children and it can equally affect male and female offspring. Symptoms typically begin in the thirties or forties; however 10% of diagnosed patients began having symptoms before the age of 20. Onset of

Text Box: symptoms before the age of 20 is called juvenile Huntington’s disease, whereas onset after 20 years of age is called adult Huntington’s disease. Juvenile onset patients typically inherit the disease from the father, whereas older onset patients usually inherit the disease from the mother. The course of the disease is variable within the same family. The duration of the disease from onset of symptoms to death is approximately 15 years for adult onset, and only 8 to 10 years for the juvenile onset Huntington’s disease. What are the symptoms of Huntington’s disease? Early symptoms of Huntington’s disease

Text Box: include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, clumsiness, involuntary twitching and lack of coordination. Throughout disease progression symptoms progress to loss of concentration, short-term memory loss and uncontrolled movements. Eventually the person is unable to care for themselves.

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