Conjunctivitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

                                                                                         

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.

While pinkeye can sometimes be alarming because it may make the eyes extremely red and can spread rapidly, it's a fairly common condition and usually causes no long-term eye or vision damage.

What causes it?

Conjunctivitis is caused by infection or irritants, including allergens.

In most cases, such infections aren't serious and settle quickly. However, gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia can also be passed on during birth, and these may be more damaging.

Conjunctivitis caused by some bacteria and viruses can spread easily from person to person, but are not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly.

The most common seasonal allergic conjunctivitis risk factor is exposure to an environmental irritant. Specific environment irritants change with the seasons.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis causes the following symptoms in one or both eyes:

Soreness, often described as a gritty or burning feeling, although this isn't always present
Itchiness

Redness of the whites of your eye

Symptoms for the other causes of noninfectious conjunctivitis are dependent on the circumstances (i.e., if the conjunctivitis is caused by smog, the person may experience itchy, red eyes; if the conjunctivitis is caused by a chemical in the eye, the person may experience burning, red eyes and blurred vision).

Bacterial

Red and itchy eyes

Watery or milky discharge or pus-like discharge

Can occur in one or both eyes

Can exhibit slight or marked swelling around the eye

Treatment of Conjunctivitis

Most infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious and spreads by droplet, fomites, and hand-to-eye inoculation. To avoid transmitting infection, the physician must wash his hands thoroughly and disinfect equipment after examining the patient. The patient should wash his hands thoroughly after touching his eyes or nasal secretions, avoid touching the noninfected eye after touching the infected eye, avoid sharing towels or pillows, and not swim in pools.

Your ophthalmologist may prescribe an eyedrop or ointment to help control the swelling and pain and to help prevent spread of the infection and further damage to your eye.

If you have been diagnosed with conjunctivitis, follow these tips to avoid spreading of the infection:

Wash your hands frequently.

Avoid rubbing your eyes.

Don't share washcloths, towels or pillowcases.

Don't share eyedrops or cosmetics.

Mast cell stabilisers: because mast cell (a type of white blood cell) plays a major role in allergic reactions, the aim of these drugs is to block the action of mast cells. Examples of these group of drugs include sodium cromoglycate and lodoxamide tromethamine. They are eyedrops, and upon use may cause eye discomfort.

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis may disappear completely when the allergy is managed appropriately. Being aware of and removing your allergic trigger(s) may help you to avert the symptoms associated with this type of conjunctivitis.

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