Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye (the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids); also called pinkeye. Viruses and allergies are the most common causes of this condition. Mixed or unidentifiable disease-causing microorganisms may be present, and irritation of the conjunctiva by wind, dust, smoke, and other types of air pollution is often responsible. Conjunctivitis may also accompany the common cold, infections involving skin rashes (especially measles), and irritation of the eye's cornea resulting from intense electric light, sunlamps, and reflections from snow.