CONJUNCTIVITIS
WHAT IS CONJUNCTIVITIS?
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common and treatable eye
infections in children and adults. Often called "red eye", it is an inflammation
of the conjunctiva -
Conjunctivitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, chemical exposure, or an allergic reaction to pollen, smoke, or other irritants (shampoos and pool chlorine). Most cases of conjunctivitis run a predictable course and the inflammation usually clears up in a few days.
Picture of an eye showing the injected conjunctival vessels seen in conjunctivitis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CONJUNCTIVITIS?
· Inside of the eyelid or the white of the eye becomes red and engorged with blood vessels.
· Increased watering.
· Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes.
· Discharge from the eye (green or white)
· Itching (especially in allergic conjunctivitis)
· Burning eyes (especially caused by chemicals and irritants)
· Blurred vision
· Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
If you have any of these persistent symptoms, see your General Practitioner who may take a swab or refer you on to an ophthalmologist (a doctor trained to treat eye conditions).
HOW IS CONJUNCTIVITIS TREATED?
· Bacteria
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics prescribed
by your doctor. The antibiotic can be given as eye drops, ointments or pills. Eye
drops or ointments are applied to the inside of the eyelid three to four times a
day for five to seven days. It may be difficult to apply ointments to a child, but
if the ointment gets as far as the eyelashes it is likely to melt and enter the
eye. Pills may be prescribed for several days. With either treatment, the infection
should improve within a week. Even if symptoms disappear rapidly, you must always
finish the course of medicine as instructed by your doctor.
· Virus
Medicine cannot treat conjunctivitis caused by a virus. This type of conjunctivitis
often results from a common cold. Just as a cold must run its course, so must this
form of conjunctivitis, which will last from 4 to 7 days. You may, however, help
relieve symptoms by applying a cold compress to the eye. If the symptoms persist
it is worth mentioning it to you General Practitioner.
· Irritating substance
To treat this type of conjunctivitis, use warm water and spend
5 minutes washing the irritant from the eyes and then take care to avoid further
exposure to this substance. Your eyes should begin to improve within four hours of
washing away the substance. If they do not, call your doctor.
· Allergies
If you have allergic eye disease, ithis can be treated with artificial
tears to dilute the allergen (the substance that you are allergic to) and wash it
out of the eyes. You may also be prescribed eye drops or antihistamine tablets to
help relieve the symptoms. If these persists, it is worth trying to work out what
you are allergic to and avoiding it. If it is seasonal, it may be due to a particular
pollen. Relief from symptoms may be achieved by applying a cold compress on closed
eyes.
· Ophthalmia neonatorum and STDs
The same bacteria that causes the sexually transmitted
diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea can also infect the conjunctiva. This is called
ophthalmia neonatorum and is most commonly spread during birth as the infant passes
through the birth canal of an infected mother. If this occurs, you should see an
ophthalmologist as a matter of urgency as treatment needs to be commenced immediately
after swabs have been taken.
HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CONJUNCTIVITIS.
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious. Unless you take the following preventative measures, the condition may spread to your other eye or to other people.
· Wash your hands often and well.
· Keep your hands away from the infected eye.
· Do not share facecloths, towels, pillowcases or handkerchiefs with anyone.
· Change your facecloth, towel and pillowcase after each use and wash them thoroughly.
· Do not use other people's eye make-