Recently, Health Service deals with eye infections such as Infectious Conjunctivitis otherwise known as pink eye.

On a college campus, many sicknesses can be spread quickly because of the proximity of the campus populations, and eye infections are no different.

Pink eye is an infection that no college student would like to have. The medical term for pink eye is actually Infectious Conjunctivitis. It is when a fecal matter gets into the eye causing the eye to become infected.

Morgan Skalla, a sophomore majoring in psychology and pre occupation therapy, experienced these symptoms and was later diagnosed with Infectious Conjunctivitis.

“It all started about a week ago, it was really intense because there were no progressive symptoms, and it came on all the sudden,” Skalla said. “I was laying in my bed when I felt a lot of irritation and water in my eye.”

Skalla’s case was very serious as her eye actually became bloodshot and it was almost impossible for her to open the eye without being in pain.

The doctor gave her antibiotic eye drops to fight the infection.

Sheila Baker, the medical director at Health Service, has seen several cases of Infectious Conjunctivitis.

“The typical symptoms will include mild to severe eye irritation, draining of the eye, and watery eyes,” Baker said. “These are more viral symptoms and not allergic reaction symptoms. The more serious symptoms include sensitivity toward light and changing of color in the eye.”

Skalla had many of these symptons.

“I received antibiotic eye drops for my eye which I’ll have for two weeks,” Skalla said. “I have to take the drops every two hours, cannot wear my eye contacts, and must be careful when I put on makeup.”

Baker said she believes the best way to avoid getting Conjunctivitis Infectious is by being very careful around the eye and being very hygienic as well.

“The ways in which students can avoid getting viral eye infections is to make sure they have very good hygienic health,” Baker said. “Students should also wash their eyes and use eye drops to avoid infection.”

Skalla plans on being more careful when it comes to her eyes now as a way to avoid getting an eye infection again.

“I haven’t worn my eye contacts constantly like I use to, I plan on being more hygienic by cleaning my glasses more, not sharing my eye contact cleaner, and will not share any makeup either,” Skalla said.

Skalla and Baker both agree that Conjunctivitis Infectious and other viral eye infections happen because student can forget about the eye and the importance of cleaning it on a daily basis.

Steven Puschmann can be reached at 581-2812 or

srpuschmann@eiu.edu.