Pink eye: what the Spanish term may refer to

In Spanish, pink eye is commonly called conjuntivitis. It describes inflammation of the eye’s clear outer covering rather than one single germ or treatment. Viral infection, bacteria, allergies, and irritants can all be involved. Red eye, itching, watering, or eye discharge can occur, but pain, strong light sensitivity, or a change in vision may suggest a more serious eye problem and should not be dismissed as simple conjunctivitis.

Wash your hands, avoid touching the eye, and clean discharge gently with clean water and a new pad each time. Do not share towels, cosmetics, or eye drops. Stop wearing contact lenses while symptoms are present. A GP consultation can help when the cause is unclear; antibiotic treatment is only useful for some bacterial cases and should be used as prescribed.

Seek prompt care for eye pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision, injury, or a red painful eye in someone who wears contact lenses. Urgent assessment is needed for sudden vision change or severe pain. Arrange a review if discharge increases, symptoms worsen, or basic care does not bring improvement.

Ask your clinician to explain the likely cause in your preferred language, whether the condition can spread, which drops are appropriate, and when normal lens use can resume.