Conjunctivitis (Pink eye) is an eye infection that occurs in both adults and children. It is caused due to several factors, including irritants, allergens, viruses, and bacteria. Various treatment options are available depending on the type of infection, including ointments, eye drops, water flushes, pills, and comfort care. Let us first try to understand conjunctivitis' meaning and ways to treat it.
What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as ‘pink eye’, is a condition that causes redness and inflammation in the conjunctiva, the tissue covering the surface of the eyeball and lining the inner surface of the eyelid. This tissue is responsible for keeping the eyeball and eyelid moist. The eye looks pink when the blood vessels of the conjunctiva get inflamed, making them more apparent.
Allergy conjunctivitis can affect either one eye or both. In most cases, pink eye occurring simultaneously in both eyes is a result of viral infection of the eye.
Types of conjunctivitis
There are different kinds of conjunctivitis depending on the cause of the infection. Some common types include:
1- Bacterial conjunctivitis
This is a common type of conjunctivitis caused due to bacteria. Bacteria can enter the eye through various sources of contamination. This infection spreads through contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces, or other means like ear or sinus infection. It usually produces thick pus or discharge and can affect one or both eyes.
Antibiotics are required to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Topical antibiotic eye drops or ointments are usually prescribed. Treatment may last 1-2 weeks, depending on its severity.
2- Viral conjunctivitis
This is one of the most commonly seen pink eye infections. It is extremely contagious and may spread through the air as well. This infection is often accompanied by upper respiratory viral infections like flu, common cold, or measles.
No ointments or eye drops are effective for treating viral pink eye. The condition is self-limiting and subsides on its own after a short while. Treatment includes supportive therapies, decongestants to alleviate surface swelling, vasoconstrictors to remove redness, and antihistamines to reduce itching.
3- Allergic conjunctivitis
This kind of conjunctivitis is quite common and caused due to allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and animal dander. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, which can be treated with antihistamine eye drops to control the allergy.
4- Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis
This type of conjunctivitis affects both eyes and is common with contact lens users. It can lead to heavy discharge, contact lens intolerance, red bumps on the inside of the eyelids, and excessive tearing. The only way to treat this is to stop the use of contact lenses for a while.
5- Non-infectious Conjunctivitis
This is caused due to several reasons including smoke, a few chemicals, perfumes, and diesel exhaust. Certain ingested substances can also cause non-infectious conjunctivitis, including herbs like turmeric and eyebright.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
The most common conjunctivitis symptoms include:
- Redness (in one / both eyes)
- Itchiness (in one / both eyes)
- Gritty feeling (in one / both eyes)
- Persistent tears
- Discharge (from one / both eyes) forming a crust on the eyelashes during sleep. This crust often prevents us from opening our eyes in the morning.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
The reddish or pink color of the eye that characterizes the condition occurs when the blood vessels in the conjunctiva get inflamed. This eye inflammation is caused due to:
- Bacteria: Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually caused by bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Haemophilus influenza.
- Viruses: The most common variety of pink eye is viral conjunctivitis. The viruses responsible for the common cold can also cause pink eye.
- Irritants such as cosmetics, shampoos, dirt, smoke, contact lenses, and pool chlorine are few common allergens that can cause conjunctivitis.
- Allergens such as pollen, molds, and other substances also lead to the development of pink eye.
- Foreign objects entering the eye can also cause pink eye.
- Blocked tear duct in babies may also lead to pink eye.
Treatment of Conjunctivitis
There are a few steps that you can take to feel better when suffering from conjunctivitis. These work irrespective of the kind of pink eye you are suffering from.
- Cool Compress: Soak a soft cloth in cool water. Remove excess water and press it on your closed eye gently. If you have conjunctivitis in just one eye, don’t put the compress on the healthy eye to avoid spreading the infection. Use the compress for a few minutes several times a day.
- Eye drops: Various eye drops available in the market can help alleviate itching in the eye. Go for ‘artificial tears’ or lubricating drops. Store them in the refrigerator, and they will help make you feel even better.
- Avoid using contacts: If you use contact lenses, avoid them till conjunctivitis clears up completely. It would also be a good idea to replace the lenses after the bout of pink eye. Viruses and bacteria can live in the lenses and re-infect your eye.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
