Conjunctiva is a thin transparent membrane that lines the eyeball and eyelid.
Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva leads to conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis
appears as a pink eye with discharge and itching in the eye. The
most common cause of conjunctivitis is a viral infection. Other
causes of conjunctivitis are a bacterial infection, allergic reactions
and opthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis seen in the newborns).
- Bacterial
conjunctivitis:- It is seen as a pink eye. It affects both
the eyes usually and leads to thick discharge of mucus from both
the eyes.
- Viral
conjunctivitis: - Is a limited condition. It usually affects
one eye and causes excessive tearing. The discharge is usually
mild.
- Allergic
conjunctivitis:- It results in excessive tearing from the
eyes and itching & redness in the eyes. It may sometimes be
associated with a runny nose.
- Opthalmia
neonatorum:- Is conjunctivitis in the newborn. It requires
emergency care and the neonatologist (physician caring for the
baby) should be consulted immediately. It has to be treated urgently
to prevent permanent eye damage or blindness. It is usually caused
when the infant is exposed to the germs in the mother’s birth
canal. Gonococcus, C. trachomatis and herpes virus are the common
causes.
Treatment
:- Treatment consists basically of cleaning the eyes and preventing
the condition from spreading. Each eye should be cleaned with a
clean, wet cotton separately moving the cotton in one direction
only (either from left to right or right to left).
Non-prescription
eye drops are needed for viral conjunctivitis. Antibiotic eye drops
are required for bacterial conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis
require steroid eye drops. However, do not use them without consulting
your doctor.
If
your condition does not improve within 3 days, consult your doctor.
To prevent spread of infection to other people in the household, the
following measures are required:-
- Do
not touch your hands to the infected eye.
- Wash
your hands frequently.
- Do
not share towels, napkins and handkerchiefs with others.
- Wearing
glasses may decrease the chance of infection to the people around
you. However, it mainly helps you to prevent your hands from touching
your eyes and for cosmetic reasons.
The child with conjunctivitis will have to be kept away from school
for a few days to prevent spread of infection to other children
in school.
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Last
updated on 2-01-2001
