Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Eyes are an important part of our body. With our eyes we can explore this beautiful world and see our loved ones.There are a variety of eye conditions that need to be promptly treated. Conjunctivitis is one of these eye infections.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eyes, is inflammation of the transparent membrane of the eye, the conjunctiva.It could happen as a result of an infection or irritant brought on by bacterial, viral, or allergic reaction. Only a comprehensive review can help identify the cause of conjunctivitis. While it might be irritating, conjunctivitis impacts vision if treatment is not taken appropriately. Let’s understand more about conjunctivitis!

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

While conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes, the symptoms depend on the cause of the disorder. They are as follows:

What causes conjunctivitis (Pink eye)?

The membrane that covers the eye (the conjunctiva), which contains the blood vessels, becomes inflamed, resulting to the pink or reddish colour of the eye.. The Inflammation can be caused due to :

How can conjunctivitis infection be Prevented ?

To prevent the spread of conjunctivitis infection, an eye doctor may advise to avoid outings. If you've been taking antibiotics for 24 hours or no longer have symptoms, you're less likely to transmit the infection.

Maintaining good general hygiene and eye care habits can also help prevent conjunctivitis. Here are some of the listed preventive measures:

1. Avoid touching or rubbing the affected eye: Pink eye, especially bacterial or viral pink, is very contagious. By touching the eye, the infection might spread to the other eye or to other people. It may also worsen the symptoms.
If someone needs to touch their eyes, such as while cleaning them, they should thoroughly wash their hands before and after. Any tissues, washcloths, or towels that have come into touch with the infected eye should not be reused. Wearing contact lenses or eye makeup should also be avoided until the symptoms disappear.

2. Damp cloth clean: Thick discharge, or pus, may leak from the eye in those with bacterial pink eye. Pus dries quickly, leaving a crust around the eyelids. This crust may make eye opening difficult, especially first thing in the morning.
Use a warm, damp cloth to eliminate pus from the eye and lashes. A warm shower may also help them remove the dry crust.

3. Eye drops: Artificial tears can relieve eye irritation or burning. Artificial tears are a form of eye drops. When a person develops pink eye due to allergies, eye drops may be especially beneficial as it can help to clean the eye and remove residues of the allergen.

4. Pain-relieving medication: Some over-the-counter medications may alleviate the pain of pink eye but will not cure it. Allergy medicine may also help to relieve the symptoms of allergic pink eye.

5. Use a cool compress: Pink eye is caused by inflammation around the eye. This can be aggravating and, at times, painful. A cool compress may aid in reducing inflammation and relieving these symptoms.
A cool compress can be made by soaking a clean washcloth or hand towel in cold water and then squeezing off any excess water. They can then cover the injured eye with the cloth for a few minutes.

Conclusion

If an infection causes pink eye, it is critical not to reuse the washcloth. This virus may spread to the opposite eye or to other family members. Instead, use a clean washcloth for each compress and wash used washcloths in hot water. Bacterial or virus conjunctivitis is highly infectious and is sometimes linked with a respiratory infection, such as a cold or sore throat. People who wear dirty contact lenses for an extended time risk developing bacterial conjunctivitis. If there is discharge from the eyes, change in vision, increasing redness, or chronic pain, the patient should consult an eye doctor before it becomes a big problem for the eyes.