Conjunctivitis

 
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CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membranes that line the eyelid) and surface layers of your eye in response to either allergies or an infection on the conjunctiva.

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms you might notice if you have conjunctivitis are:

  • Irritated, gritty, or itchy eyes. 

  • Discharge - either watery, or thicker/pus. 

  • Red eyes.

  • Decreased vision. 

  • Fluid build up/swelling in your eye. 

These may occur in one or both eyes, and can affect the eyelids as well. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your Optometrist, and stop wearing Contact Lenses if you are a contact lens wearer normally. 

Conjunctivitis is contagious, so hand hygiene and staying away from other people to stop it spreading to others is crucial. 

 

ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS 
When your body has an allergic response to a foreign substance/object (for example pollen/dust in the air during hayfever season, or hair from an animal), it causes various cells in the eye to release a mixture of chemical signals and fluid to flush out this substance and provide an immune response. 

The main sign of allergic conjunctivitis over the infectious type is itchiness, as this is usually only present in allergies. 

Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis is usually in the form of antihistamines or Mast Cell Stabilisers - either through oral tablets if the allergy is systemic (affects the whole body) or eye drops if the allergy is only affecting the eyes.

 

INFECTIVE CONJUNCTIVITIS

Infective conjunctivitis can be bacterial or viral, and symptoms usually form 3-4 days after infection, however they can appear anytime from 2-10 days after contracting the infection. 

Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria (most commonly Staph Aureus) and is picked up from your environment or someone who had a similar infection. 

Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually self-limiting (resolves on its own) in 1-2 weeks, however antibiotic eye drops can be used to speed up recovery and improve the eyes appearance. 

Viral conjunctivitis presents as typical "pink eye" symptoms; red watery eyes that are gritty and irritated. They commonly follow a systemic cold/virus. There is no medical treatment for viral conjunctivitis as it is self limiting and antibiotics do not work on a viral infection, however it is extremely contagious so hand hygiene and staying home from work or school is crucial.

 
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