Topic 7: Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a common eye disease. It is the inflammation of the conjunctiva which covers the upper and lower eyelids. Conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic. It might be caused by bacteria; chlamydia trachoma is virus, allergy or contamination with chemicals. Most causes are from bacteria and virus infections. It usually transmits via hand contact, handkerchief and towel usage. A person who is infected will get better within 2 weeks. Conjunctivitis which is caused by allergy is usually chronic. The symptom is an inflammation of the eyelids. The use of contact lenses or eyewash might cause chronic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms
1. Eye itching is the major symptom of conjunctivitis. Itching can be more or less in patients who are allergic. These patients often have a record of allergy in the family such as asthma, rash etc.
2. Eye wax. The appearance of eye wax can tell the causes of conjunctivitis.
- Clear eye wax is usually caused by virus or allergy.
- White mucous eye wax is usually caused by allergy or dry eyes.
- Eye wax which will be a scrap in the eyes and causes to open the eyes with difficultly. The cause of this eye wax usually is a bacterial infection.
3. Conjunctivitis is on one side or both sides of the eyes.
- Being infected on the both sides is usually caused by allergy.
- Being infected on one side and then spread to the other side is usually caused by bacteria, virus or chlamydia.
- If one has chronic conjunctivitis only on one side, they should seek medical advice.
4. Eyestrain or unable to look at bright light is usually caused by other diseases such as glaucoma, uveitis etc. If you have conjunctivitis with eyestrain or are unable to look at bright light, you have to seek medical advice immediately.
5. Snow-blindness: even blinking does not cure snow-blindness, a patient with conjunctivitis still can see clearly. However, if a patient has both conjunctivitis and the snow-blindness he/she should seek medical advice.
6. Other medical records: It indicates a flu or underlying disease, the use of eye drops, artificial tears, or cosmetics.
Prevention of conjunctivitis
- Do not share cosmetics with others.
- Do not share a handkerchief or towel with others.
- Wash the hands frequently and do not rub the eyes with the hands.
- Wear safety goggles while working in the dusty or chemically polluted environment.
- Do not use other people’s eye drops.
- Do not swim in the pool that has not been treated with chlorine.
Self treatment for conjunctivitis
- Apply a cold pack to the infected area 3-4 times a day for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash the hands frequently.
- Do not rub the eyes with the hands because it can irritate the eyes.
- Wear sunglasses if it is difficult to look at a bright light.
- Do not use contact lenses while having conjunctivitis or inflamed eyes.
- Change the pillow case every day.