Understanding Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis, the medical term for pink eye, occurs when the conjunctiva becomes inflamed or infected. The conjunctiva is a clear membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the inside of the eyelids.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The symptoms of pink eye may appear similar to other medical issues; therefore, you should always consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis:

A gritty sensation in one or both eyes.
Itchiness and irritation of the eyes.
Swollen eyelids.
Crusting of the eyelids and lashes, especially upon waking up in the morning.
Eyes are teary and watery.
Eye discharge that can be yellow, green, white, or clear.

Causes

Bacteria, viruses, and allergens are the most common causes of conjunctivitis. The less common causes of conjunctivitis include irritants such as wearing contact lenses, exposure to chemicals, foreign objects in the eye such as a piece of eyelash, pollution, fungi, amoeba, and parasites.

If a newborn is suspected of having conjunctivitis, seek medical attention right away. Newborns with pink eye may show eye drainage within a few days to weeks after birth, with puffy, red, and tender eyelids.

Identifying what causes newborns to have pink eye can be difficult due to the similar symptoms linked to each possible cause, such as the newborn’s tear duct is blocked, irritation from topical antimicrobials given at birth, or an infection passed from mother to baby during childbirth.

Asymptomatic mothers at the time of delivery can carry and pass on bacteria or viruses to their newborns during birth.

How Conjunctivitis is Spread

Certain viruses and bacteria are highly infectious and can spread between people. This includes close direct contact by touching or shaking hands, contact with cough or sneeze droplets, touching the eyes with hands contaminated with bacteria or viruses, and using contaminated items such as towels, washcloths, or eye makeup.

Diagnosis

Conjunctivitis is usually diagnosed using a combination of medical history, a physical examination, and occasionally additional tests.

During physical examination, your doctor will inspect your eyes, eyelids, and its surrounding areas using a lighted instrument. This examination assesses the extent of swelling and redness within and around your eyes and observes the type and quantity of discharge (clear, yellow, or green) from your eyes.

Additional tests will include an eye swab, whereby a sample of the eye discharge may be collected for laboratory analysis to determine the specific cause, such as bacteria or viruses. Fluorescein staining may also be done, whereby a dye may be applied to the eye to check for corneal abrasions or other injuries. Blood tests may be carried out in rare cases to determine systemic infections or conditions.

Treatment Options

Treating conjunctivitis depends on what caused it in the first place—whether it is bacterial, viral, allergic, or irritant.

Types of conjunctivitis	How is it treated
Irritant conjunctivitis	Remove the irritant by rinsing the eye with saline or clean water. Avoid exposure to the irritant. Artificial tears to alleviate symptoms and lubricate the eyes.
Viral conjunctivitis	Since viral conjunctivitis typically resolves on its own, treatment mainly aims to alleviate symptoms. Artificial tears to soothe dryness and irritation. Cold compresses to decrease swelling and discomfort. Antiviral medication may be necessary in serious cases caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Allergic conjunctivitis	Avoid the allergen that triggers the reaction. Oral antihistamines or antihistamine eye drops are used to decrease allergic reactions. Short-term use of corticosteroid eye drops may be prescribed in serious cases.
Bacterial conjunctivitis	Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are usually prescribed to get rid of the bacterial infection. Improvement is typically seen within several days. Patients are advised to practice good hygiene measures, which involves avoid touching their eyes, and wash their hands constantly.

General Care Tips

You should not wear contact lenses until the conjunctivitis has cleared up.
Sharing personal items such as towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup should be avoided.
Wash your hands constantly and do not touch the eyes at all.
To avoid contamination, get rid of any eye makeup or contact lenses that were used when the infection occurred.

However, if the symptoms are serious or do not improve with over-the-counter treatments, or if you experience severe pain, vision problems, or light sensitivity, do seek medical attention immediately.

Preventing Conjunctivitis

If you are in the proximity of someone who has conjunctivitis, here are the steps you can take to decrease your risk of infection:

Wash your hands constantly using soap and warm water.
Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands.
Do not share personal items used by an individual with conjunctivitis, such as pillows, washcloths, towels, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses, contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.

Schedule an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

Do seek medical attention from our doctors if you have symptoms of conjunctivitis. A dedicated and expert team of ophthalmologists at Gleneagles Hospitals is available for consultation to provide the best care and assistance.

Get in touch with us to book an appointment today if you have concerns or questions regarding conjunctivitis or pink eyes. We assure you the best possible care tailored to your specific needs.

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