Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is infection or inflammation of the thin, clear membrane that envelops the surface of the eye and underside of the eyelids. Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, by bacteria infection or by virus infection.

Allergic conjunctivitis has symptoms of redness, itchiness, tearing and white strands of mucous may appear in the eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs in both eyes simultaneously, although allergic conjunctivitis that is caused by contact with an allergen and eye rubbing may be caused in one eye only. There are many new medications in the form of eyedrops that can help with the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, so your doctor should be consulted. Sometimes, over-the-counter antihistamines will help to resolve some symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

Bacterial conjunctivitis has symptoms of redness, itching and yellow or greenish mucous in the tears. It will usually occur in one eye before it spreads to the other, but may occur in both eyes concurrently. It may or may not be painful and there may or may not be sensitivity to light. It usually does not decrease vision. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious and may be transmitted by physical contact or transfer from doorknobs, eye rubbing etc. Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis is antibiotic eyedrops. It is also recommended that sheets, pillowcases and towels that someone else may use be washed and that physical contact be avoided for the first 3 days of infection.

Viral conjunctivitis has symptoms of redness, watering, extreme sensitivity to light and sometimes but not usually white strands of mucous in the tear film. It will usually occur in one eye before spreading to the other, but may occur in both eyes concurrently. It usually is painful and decreases vision. Viral conjunctivitis may be highly contagious or not contagious at all. There is no medicine to help viral conjunctivitis and it must be left to run it's course. Supportive therapy in the form of wetting eyedrops and cool compresses for symptom relief may be prescribed. It can take 4 to 6 weeks until it totally clears up and some people who wear contact lenses may need to be out of their lenses for as long a 6 months due to corneal problems that remain long after the original infection.