General Information:

Conjunctivitis is a relatively common condition, often referred to as pink eye, in which the conjunctiva (a clear membrane lining the eyeball and inner eyelids) becomes inflamed.

Most instances of conjunctivitis are the result of things such as:

Infections (bacterial, viral, or allergic conjunctivitis)

allergies

irritation

Most instances last for a fairly short period of time. While some acute cases of conjunctivitis may clear on their own, medical treatment is advised and often necessary.

Allergic conjunctivitis is usually seen seasonally and can be a result of grass or pollen. Other allergens such as animal dander or dust can cause more prolonged symptoms. Some common allergens include perfumes and cosmetics, skin medicines, air pollution, and smoke. Allergic conjunctivitis typically produces symptoms in both eyes simultaneously, while other types of conjunctivitis often manifest symptoms first in one eye, followed by the other.

Clinical Symptoms:

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include the following:

itchiness and tearing accompanied by eye discomfort. In some cases, this discomfort increases when looking at bright lights.

The affected eye often becomes red, giving the condition its common name pink eye.

Thick white, yellow, or green discharge often accompanies bacterial conjunctivitis, and may cause the eyelids to stick together.

A thinner and possibly clear discharge is often symptomatic of viral or allergic conjunctivitis. Vision-related complications are more likely in viral conjunctivitis.

Treatment Options:

Anyone with conjunctivitis should see an eye doctor. If the infection is bacterial, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment for about 7 days. If the infection is viral or caused by allergies, the afflicted eyes can be treated at home by bathing them with water or with water that contains a pinch of salt. Over the counter treatments such as eye-cleansing solutions will soothe the eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis may be treated with doctor-prescribed antihistamines or special eye drops.

Prevention:

People tend to be more susceptible to conjunctivitis after a cold or flu. The condition is highly contagious, and anyone who has or is in contact with conjunctivitis should wash their hands frequently, especially after touching the eyes, to prevent spreading the infection to other people or from one eye to the other. Infections can also be spread through coughing, sneezing, or swimming in contaminated pools during the summer.

It is a good habit not to share eye drops, tissues, eye makeup, or pillowcases with other people. If a child or adult suffers from allergic conjunctivitis, keep windows and doors closed when pollen count is high, and you should dust frequently.

In babies, neonatal conjunctivitis can be prevented by screening and treating pregnant women for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, especially since pregnant women may show no symptoms of infection but still have bacteria in the birth canal. Additionally, newborns can be treated in the delivery room with antibiotic ointment or eye drops. Cesarean sections are recommended for cases in which the mother has active genital herpes lesions at the time of delivery.

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