- Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent layer that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.
Conjunctivitis is a disease of the eyes, also known as conjunctivitis or pink eye. With conjunctivitis, the eyes become red as well as swollen. The conjunctiva is the transparent and thin tissue that covers the outer surface of the sclera and the inner surface of the eyelids.
It also helps keep the eyelashes and eyeball moist. One or both eyes may have conjunctivitis. We will know more below about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment of such eye disease in details below :
What is Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)?, Dealing with Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a disease of the eyes, also known as conjunctivitis or pink eye. With conjunctivitis, the eyes become red and swollen. This disease occurs when the conjunctiva, a part of the eye, becomes inflamed due to allergy or infection.
The conjunctiva is the transparent and thin tissue that covers the outer surface of the sclera and the inner surface of the eyelids. It also helps keep the eyelashes and eyeball moist. One or both eyes may have conjunctivitis. This eye problem is very common in young children. However, it can also happen to teenagers and adults.
Depending on the type of conjunctivitis, this eye disease can easily spread from one person to another. Although, this problem gets cured on its own within a few days, yet some types of conjunctivitis require a doctor’s treatment.
Types of Conjunctivitis, Symptom Identification, Treatment Solutions”
There are three main types of disease of the eyes are as follows:
1- Allergic Conjunctivitis (these are also of two types)
1.1-Allergic:
This condition occurs when some kind of pollutant, animal allergy or any other type of substance goes into your eye, causing problems.
1.2- Giant Papillary:
This condition usually occurs due to prolonged presence of any foreign substance or element in the eye.
2- Chemical Conjunctivitis
This condition occurs when a chemical or pollutant enters your eye.
3- Infectious Conjunctivitis (these are also of three types)
3.1 Viral
This condition is caused by exposure to viruses associated with cold or upper respiratory tract infection.
3.2- Bacterial
This condition arises when bacteria present in your skin, respiratory tract or using dirty face lotion, eye-makeup. This infection is more common in children than in adults.
3.3-Ophthalmia Neonatorum
This is a very serious bacterial infection, which affects newborn babies. It is caused by the contact of the baby’s eyes with bacteria present in the birth canal and needs to be treated at the earliest as it can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
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Symptoms of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
The symptoms also appear according to condition of your eyes. Know the symptoms:
A. Symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis.
1- Slight redness in the eye
2- Water coming from the eye
3- Itching in the eye
B. Symptoms of Viral Conjunctivitis
1- Redness in the Eye
2- Eye Pain
3- Something going in the eye and feeling of grit in the eye
4- Trouble with light
C. Symptoms of Bacterial Conjunctivitis
1- Redness in the Eye
2- Eye Pain
3- Yellow Liquid in Eye
4- Accumulation of mud in the eyes
5- Redness of the eyelids and appearance of swollen eyelids
6- Feeling trouble with light
D. Symptoms of chemical conjunctivitis.
1- Watering from the eyes
2- Mud coming from the eyes
Causes and Risks
The causes depend on its different types of the infections. The main causes associated with all types of conjunctivitis are as follows:
1. Allergic Conjunctivitis
This type is caused by animal dander, dust mites, ragweed pollen and grass etc.
2. Giant Papillary
Prolonged use of contact lenses (not removing them regularly), prosthetic (artificial body part) in the eye and problems with stitches.
3. Chemical
Harmful chemicals, chlorine present in swimming pools, air pollution etc. increase the chances of chemical conjunctivitis.
4. Viral
Infectious conjunctivitis is caused by adenovirus and many other types of virus.
5. Bacterial
Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by streptococci and staphylococci bacteria or organisms that promote sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
6. Ophthalmia
The presence of bacteria such as gonorrhea or chlamydia in the birth canal can infect the baby.
Risk
The following factors increase the risk of developing infectious eyes
- Coming in contact with infected people
- Touching or coming in contact with contaminated surfaces
- Using old, contaminated, dirty cosmetic products such as eye makeup
- Using contaminated towels
- Swimming in a Contaminated Swimming Pool
- Newborn babies are at risk of getting conjunctivitis during vaginal delivery from an infected mother.
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Prevention
There is no specific way to prevent conjunctivitis, as this eye problem occurs through many different sources. However, this condition can be avoided to a great extent by adopting some precautions like washing hands frequently, avoiding touching or rubbing eyes etc.
People who have allergies should stay away from substances that increase the allergic reaction. In addition, people who work in dusty environments or places that irritate the eyes should adopt measures to protect the eyes.
Diagnosis of Conjunctivitis
To Diagnose conjunctivitis, the doctor first examines the eyes. Through this, it is ascertained whether the symptoms you are seeing are due to conjunctivitis or there is some other problem related to the eyes. The doctor may also ask about your health history to ascertain the symptoms. For this the following tests can be done-
- Visual acuity measurement (to check vision).
- To evaluate the internal structure of the eye.
- Evaluation of conjunctiva and eye tissue using bright light and magnification.
- In addition, in case of long-term conjunctivitis or non-response to treatment, the doctor may take a sample of the discharge from the eye to study it under a microscop and determine the exact cause of the condition not healing. Who can know
Treatment For Cnjunctivitis
Mild cases often do not require treatment. It gets better on its own within about two weeks depending on the type of disease of the eyes. Different types are treated differently, which are as follows-
1. Allergic
In mild cases, artificial tear eye drops and cold compresses can provide relief from this problem. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe medications for allergies (antihistamines), inflammation (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or topical steroid eye drops.
2. Chemical
Eyes can be better treated with saline solution. If chemicals spill into the eyes, wash them with water for some time to avoid permanent damage to the eyes. It can also be treated with topical steroids.
3. Infectious
If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. The doctor does not give any specific treatment for viral conjunctivitis, because antibiotics do not affect the virus.
4. Viral
It requires treatment when it is caused by sexually transmitted diseases, varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, etc.
In addition, the doctor may recommend the patient to use eye drops and cold compresses to provide relief from the symptoms. In severe cases of viral conjunctivitis, the doctor may prescribe topical steroid drops to ease the discomfort.
Ways to Reduce the Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
1. Apply cold compresses to the eyes to relieve symptoms such as irritation.
2. Use eye drops if there is burning and itching in the eyes.
3. Clean the sticky eye discharge frozen on the eyelids twice a day by soaking cotton in water.
4. If one eye is not infected, avoid using the same eye drop bottle for both eyes.
5. Stop using contact lenses until the eyes are completely healed.
6. Wash eyelids and face with mild soap. Wash eyes with water to remove foreign particles.
7. Do not rub the eyes, as this may worsen the symptoms. Wash your hands before putting eye drops in your eyes.
Infectious conjunctivitis can recur. In such a situation, you can prevent it from happening again by taking the following precautions-
Avoid reusing eye make-up, especially the one you used when you had disease of the eyes.
People who use contact lenses should take care of the following points:
- Wear Glasses instead of lenses.
- Wash Hands before removing or putting on lenses.
- Clean the lens thoroughly with Sterile Contact Solution.
- Clean eyewear cases as well.
- Wash towels, bedsheets, pillowcases in hot water and detergent, changing them regularly.
The most delicate portion of the body is the eye, which has pink eye symptoms. Sometimes even a little problem in them takes a big form. They frequently overlook it for a long time because of the common discomfort of itchiness, redness, and irritation in the eyes. These symptoms may be disease of the eyes symptoms if they affect the eyes.
1. Itching in the Eyes
If there is a problem of itching in your eyes continuously without any reason, then it can be a problem of conjunctivitis. At such a time, itching in the eyes should be avoided and only clean cloth should be used to clean the eyes.
2. Excess Tears in the Eyes
The problem of excessive tears in the eyes can also be considered as a symptom of conjunctivitis. Along with reddening of the eyes, excessive tears also increase the problem of disease of the eyes. Due to excessive tears, the problem of dry skin can also increase.
3. Feeling Uncomfortable with Contact Lenses
Sometimes contact lenses are avoided even after feeling uncomfortable, but if you continue to experience discomfort from wearing contact lenses continuously for 1 to 2 days, then these symptoms can be of conjunctivitis. Having conjunctivitis can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable.
4. Sticking of Eyelashes
Sticking of eyelids is also a symptom of having conjunctivitis. Due to disease of the eyes, there may be stickiness on the eyes and there may also be a problem of irritation in the eyes. There may be a feeling of stickiness in the eyes even after waking up several times. To avoid this, wash the eyes with normal water.
5. Feeling Problem due to Light
Eyesight can also be affected if there is a problem of conjunctivitis in the eyes. To avoid this, in case of eye problem, contact the doctor immediately. Many times when there is a problem in the eyesight, then wash the eyes only with cold water.
These symptoms can be seen when there is a problem of conjunctivitis in the eyes. But keep in mind that if you see these symptoms, contact the doctor immediately.
Disclaimer : The article’s sole purpose is to wake you up for your health and to provide you the best collective and verified information. We do not recommend for any kind of medicine or treatment. You should only seek to your Doctor or Medical Counselor Because there is no one better than him.
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