Conjunctivitis

CAUSES OF CONJUNCTIVITIS
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONJUNCTIVITIS
HOW IS CONJUNCTIVITIS DIAGNOSED?
WHEN TO CONSULT A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

CAUSES OF CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis can originate from both infective and non-infective culprits, such as:

Viruses, bacteria and fungi
Irritants such as shampoos, dirt, smoke, and pool chlorine
Allergies or allergens such as dust, pollutants and contact lenses

Conjunctivitis, caused by viruses and bacteria, is contagious.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONJUNCTIVITIS

Signs and symptoms may vary, depending on the cause, but could include:

Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
An increased amount of tears
Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep
Green or white discharge from the eye
Itchy eyes
Burning eyes
Blurred vision
Increased sensitivity to light

HOW IS CONJUNCTIVITIS DIAGNOSED?

Most often in accordance with the signs, symptoms and history
Clinical examination with an ophthalmoscope
a swab will be taken with a cotton swab to sample fluid from the eyelid to be analyzed in a lab if the infection is severe or persistent

Avoid contact with individuals who have pinkeye
Wash your hands regularly, especially when you have a cold or flu
Change your contact lenses frequently as prescribed by your provider
Chemicals must not come into contact with the eyes. Should a chemical make contact with the eye, immediately rinse the eye with water
Women should not share make-up
Use a clean towel and facecloth daily – no sharing
Change your pillowcase often
When swimming, wear swim goggles

The treatment of pinkeye depends on the cause. The most common causes can be managed in the following ways:

Viral: Mostly symptomatic with a cold compress or warm compress several times per day
Bacterial: Typically managed with antibacterial eye drops or ointments
Pinkeye due to an allergy or allergens: An anti-inflammatory or antihistamine may be helpful in combination with rinsing of the eyes with cold water.
Change from contract lenses to wearing glasses until the condition has cleared up completely
The ideal remedy would be one that simultaneously treats all these distressing ailments, with the following therapeutic properties:
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial,
- antiviral
- antifungal
- safe to be applied directly onto the eyes, in both adults and children

WHEN TO CONSULT A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Conjunctivitis is usually not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly. It lasts between 4 to 7 days. However, Pinkeye in new-born babies should be reported to a doctor immediately, as it could be a vision-threatening infection. If you develop blurred vision with pinkeye, see your eye doctor immediately.

Medical References

The information on this website is meant to give general knowledge only. It is not medical advice and should not replace advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a doctor. It also doesn’t set a specific way that care should be given.Always talk to your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional if you have any health questions or concerns. Don’t ignore or delay getting medical help because of something you read on this website.Medical information is always changing, so the details on this site—or any sites it links to—might not be fully accurate or up to date. You should not use this information to make medical decisions for yourself or others. If you do, you are doing so at your own risk.