Red,
watery eyes, inflamed lids, blurred vision and a sandy or scratchy
feeling in the eyes may indicate that you have conjunctivitis.
Pus-like or watery discharge around the eyelids may indicate
an infectious form of the disease, commonly known as
"pink eye." Conjunctivitis is an
inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent
layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and the front
of the eye. It affects people of all ages.
What
causes conjunctivitis?
The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious,
allergic and chemical. The infectious form, commonly known
as
"pink eye," is caused by a contagious virus or
bacteria. Your body's allergies to pollen, cosmetics,
animals or fabrics often bring on allergic conjunctivitis.
Irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in
swimming pools may produce the chemical form.
It
is important to prevent spreading conjunctivitis.
If contagious, measures can be taken to prevent spreading
conjunctivitis to others.
- Keep your hands
away from your eyes; Thoroughly
wash hands before and after applying eye medications; Do
not share towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eyedrops with
others;
- Seek treatment promptly.
Small children, who
may forget these precautions, should be kept away from school,
camp and the swimming pool until the condition is cured. Certain
forms of conjunctivitis can develop into a serious condition
that may harm your vision. Therefore, it is important to
have conjunctivitis diagnosed and treated quickly.
How
is infectious conjunctivitis treated?
Infectious conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, is usually
treated with antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment. Other
infectious forms, caused by viruses, can't be treated
with antibiotics and must be fought off by your body's
immune system. On occasions antibiotics may be prescribed
to prevent secondary bacterial infections from developing.
How are the allergic
and chemical forms of conjunctivitis treated?
The ideal treatment for both forms is to remove the cause
of the allergy or irritation. For instance, avoid contact
with any animal if it causes an allergic reaction. Wear swimming
goggles if chlorinated water irritates your eyes. In cases
where these measures won't work, prescription and over-the-counter
eye drops are available to help relieve the discomfort. |
