First Line of Defense
A salty liquid that comes out of your eyes
What are tears?
This blood-cell is the most common cell in your blood
What are neutrophils?
These signaling proteins act as the immune system's SOS flare to recruit more white blood cells.
What are cytokines?
This symptom occurs because expanded blood vessels leak fluid into the ocular tissue.
What is swelling (edema)?
This cellular process involves wrapping a pathogen in a membrane and digesting it completely.
What is phagocytosis?
This is most commonly a antimicrobial enzyme
What is lysozyme?
This is a white-blood cell can form blood cells in the immune system
What are macrophages?
This specific protein is released by ocular cells to block viral replication inside the eye.
What is interferon?
The "crust" found in the morning is a mix of dead bacteria, mucus, and these dead white blood cells.
What are neutrophils?
This system drains away the fluid, dead cells, and leftover debris from the eye tissue.
What is the lymphatic system?
This is a mucus membrane that covers parts of the eye
What is the conjunctiva?
What are dendritic cells?
This chemical dilates blood vessels, causing the characteristic red, angry look of pink eye
What is histamine?
Increased blood flow to bring immune cells to the front lines causes this primary visual symptom.
What is redness (erythema)?
These Y-shaped proteins remain in the body to ensure you don't get the exact same infection twice.
What are antibodies?
This is an antibody protein to protect surfaces of the body from germs
What is IgA (Immunoglobulin A)?
If the pink eye is viral, these specific lymphocytes multiply to kill infected ocular cells.
What are T-cells (or Cytotoxic T-cells)?
This system of blood proteins punches physical holes into the cell membranes of bacteria.
What is the complement system?
This symptom is caused by irritated nerve endings reacting to inflammatory chemicals.
What is itching (or pain)?
This biological process replaces damaged conjunctival cells with fresh, healthy ones once the pathogen is gone.
What is epithelial regeneration (or cellular mitosis)?
This blink is activated by a touch or a tap near the corner of the eye
What is the palpebral reflex?
These specialized white blood cells flood the eye during allergic conjunctivitis, releasing histamine.
What are eosinophils?
This lipid compound triggers the pain and swelling responses, alerting your brain to the infection.
What is prostaglandin?
These small filters under your jaw or near your ear swell up as they process eye pathogens.
What are lymph nodes?
These specific T-cells release chemicals to turn off the immune response so it doesn't damage healthy eye tissue.
What are regulatory T-cells (Tregs)?