What are common symptoms of conjunctivitis?

The presence of red, irritated, and bloodshot eyes is a hallmark symptom of conjunctivitis. This condition, commonly known as pink eye, is characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelids. When this membrane becomes inflamed, it often leads to visible redness due to increased blood flow to the affected area. Irritation can accompany this redness, often resulting from factors such as infection, allergies, or irritants in the environment.

Other symptoms may include discharge, itching, and tearing, but the specific combination of redness and irritation is particularly indicative of conjunctivitis. This makes the selection of red, irritated, bloodshot eyes the most appropriate answer to the question regarding common symptoms of conjunctivitis.

In contrast, dry eyes can be a symptom of a variety of ocular conditions, but they are not specific to conjunctivitis. Inward turning of the eyes (known as entropion) is a separate condition that affects eyelid position and isn't symptomatic of conjunctivitis. Blurred vision, while it can occur in various eye conditions, is not a defining characteristic of conjunctivitis, which usually does not affect visual acuity unless there is significant discharge