Conjunctivitis, also known as red eye, needs to be diagnosed and treated early to avoid complications.
The symptoms are a kind of red alert or warning that the eyes need urgent attention and should not be neglected.
In medical terms, conjunctivitis is defined as inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid. It is a very common condition: at least one person in every 50 visits a doctor with this complaint.
The common causes of conjunctivitis are infections (specially in children) and allergy (more common in adults). Most conjunctival infections are caused by bacteria which are spread by hand-to-eye contact, or by viruses associated with a cold, sore throat or illness such as measles. Viral conjunctivitis sometimes occurs in epidemics, spreading rapidly through schools and other groups where close contact with others is common.
Newborn babies occasionally develop conjunctivitis soon after birth, which results from the spread of infection from the mother’s cervix during birth and may be caused by various micro-organisms. Extreme care is needed to ensure that the infection does not spread and cause serious complications.
An allergic response of the conjunctiva may be provoked by a variety of substances, including cosmetics, contact lens cleaning solutions and pollen.
All types of conjunctivitis cause redness, irritation, itching, discharge and occasionally photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to bright light). In infective conjunctivitis the discharge contains pus and may cause the eyelids to be stuck together in the morning. In allergic conjunctivitis the discharge is clear, and the eyelids are often swollen.
Diagnosis is made from the appearance of the eyes. If an infection is suspected, swabs may be taken to find out the causative organism, specially in a newborn baby when an exact diagnosis may be needed.
Warm water can be used to wash away the discharge and remove any crusts on the eyelids. Suspected infection can be treated with eye drops or an ointment containing an antibiotic drug. Viral conjunctivitis tends to get better without treatment. Allergic treatment may be relieved by the use of an eyedrop provided there is no accompanying infection. The person should also take some simple precautions: washing hands frequently using an antiseptic soap to prevent spread of infection, using a clean tissue to remove discharge. It’s good to consult a physician if the problem persists. If medicine is prescribed it is important to finish the course of antibiotics, even if the condition seems to have improved, to make sure the infection does not recur. The symptoms of conjunctivitis may last anywhere from several days to two weeks. Close contact with others should be avoided until the problem has been completely solved.
Eyes are the most complex part of the body apart from the human brain, and extreme care should be taken to protect them.
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