Red Eyes or Conjunctivitis is a very common disease in a family clinic. The main complaint will be a red teary and painful eye. Very often conjunctivitis may occur as an epidemic where many people get the infection at the same time.
Conjunctivitis ( A Simple Guide to Conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva(the white of the eye and inner lining of eyelids).
It is one of the most common and treatable eye infections in children and adults.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by:
1.virus or bacteria
2.irritating substances (shampoos, dirt, smoke, and especially pool chlorine)
3.allergens (substances that cause allergies).
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria, viruses can spread easily from person to person, but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly.
Common symptoms are:
1.Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
2.tears overflowing
3.yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep. Other discharge from your eye may be green .
4.Pain in the eye
5.Itchy eyes (especially in conjunctivitis caused by allergies)
6.Burning eyes (especially in conjunctivitis caused by chemicals and irritants)
7.Blurred vision
8.sensitivity to light
Bacterial or viral Conjunctivitis can also be spread through hand contact when rubbing the eyes or touching contact lenses after touching infected skin. So proper hand hygiene is important.
Being around a person who has conjunctivitis and wearing contact lenses may increase your risk of getting conjunctivitis, but the outcome is usually very good with treatment.
Treatment of Conjunctivitis:
1.Infections:
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics.
The antibiotic can be given as eye drops, ointments, or pills.
Eye drops or ointments may need to be applied to the inside of the eyelid three to four times a day for five to seven days.
No Medicine can treat conjunctivitis caused by a virus.
This type of conjunctivitis often results from a common cold( A Simple Guide to Common Cold).
You may, however, help relieve symptoms by applying a cold compress.
2.Irritating substance:
For this type of conjunctivitis, use warm water for five minutes to wash the irritating substance from the eye.
3.Allergies:
Allergy-associated conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamines or when the allergen is determined and removed.
Other measures for treating your eyes:
1.Protect your eyes from dirt and other irritating substances.
2.Do not use contact lenses, if you wear them.
3.Place cold compresses on your eyes.
4.Wash your face and eyelids with mild soap or baby shampoo and rinse with water to remove irritating substances.
5.Do not rub your eyes with hands that are not washed.
6. Do not use the same bottle of drops in the other eye if it is not infected.
Prevention of further infections:
1.Do not touch or rub the infected eye(s).
2.Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
3.Wash any discharge from your eyes twice a day using a fresh cotton ball or paper towel. Afterward discard the cotton ball and wash your hands with soap and warm water.
4.Wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent.
5.Avoid wearing eye makeup.
Don’t share eye makeup with anyone else.
6.Do not wear another person’s contact lens.
7.Wear glasses instead of contact lenses.
Throw away disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eye wear cases.
8.Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, cups, and glasses.
9.Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child’s eye.
10.Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected one.
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