What is conjunctivitis commonly referred to as?

Conjunctivitis is commonly referred to as "pink eye" because it often leads to the noticeable reddening of the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane covering the white part of the eyeball and the inner eyelids. This redness gives the afflicted eye a pinkish appearance, which is why the term “pink eye” has become synonymous with conjunctivitis in both medical and layperson language.

The condition can arise from various causes such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants. While other terms like "red eye" describe symptoms associated with conjunctivitis, they do not specifically identify the condition as effectively as "pink eye." Dry eye syndrome refers to a different problem related to insufficient tear production, and although allergic conjunctivitis is a specific type of conjunctivitis caused by allergies, it does not represent the broader condition. Therefore, "pink eye" is the most widely recognized term for conjunctivitis.