CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE): KNOW BETTER DO BETTER

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis also known as the pink eye is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of eyelids. It is mainly due to an infection and is of three types: bacterial, viral or allergic conjunctivitis.

How to differentiate between these three?

To know about that we need to look for things like what type of discharge is produced? How long has it lasted? Is it only affected in one or both the eyes? How does your eye feel like while having it?

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

Image Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/bacterial-vs-viral-conjunctivitis#bacterial

Discharge

  • Very thick, mucous and sticky type of discharge
  • Might have a yellow or greenish colour.
  • Eyes are going to be stuck shut in the morning due to this discharge.

Duration

  • About 5-7 days.
  • Typically resolves on its own within this time period.

Affected in

  • Usually monocular, meaning in one eye.
  • But they are contagious and might spread from one eye to the other.
  • Contagious by touch and not through air droplets.
  • Highly contagious

Eyes feel like

  • Gritty and/or scratchy feeling in the eye.
  • This feeling is sometimes localized enough for the patient to claim that there is a foreign body stuck in their eye.
  • Crusting of the infected eye and surrounded skin.
  • Swelling of the eyelid, may or may not have red eye.
  • Painful in acute pyogenic infections.

VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

Image Source: Bacterial and Viral Conjunctivitis – Kenyon Opticians Bingley

Discharge

  • Unlike the prior one it has a watery type of discharge.
  • Might have some discharge crusting in the morning but not to the point that it makes your eyes stuck shut.

Duration

  • About 7-14 days.
  • Resolves spontaneously within 2-3 weeks.

Affected in

  • Usually starts in one eye and spreads easily to the other eye
  • But they are contagious and might spread from one eye to the other.
  • Contagious by touch and not through air droplets
  • Highly contagious

Eyes feel like

  • Itchy eyes
  • Tearing, red eye
  • Light sensitivity (with corneal involvement)
  • Foreign body sensation in eye (Adenoviral conjunctivitis)
  • Crusting of the eye but not as much as with the bacterial conjunctivitis.

ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

Discharge

  • May not have a lot of discharge but a little bit of weeping may be present.

Duration

  • Depend on what you are allergic to.
  • If it is seasonal allergies then it might last for the season where you are exposed to such allergens.
  • If it is an allergy to pets or something similar then it will occur when you are around them.

Affected in

  • Bilateral, affects both eyes at the same time.

 Eyes feel like

  • Itchy eyes and might want to feel the immediate need to scratch them (due to the release of histamine).
  • Swelling of the conjunctiva
  • Increased lacrimation
  • Red eye

Image Source: https://assurevision.com/understanding-conjunctivitis-causes-types-and-symptoms

CAUSES

  1. Bacterial: Staphylococci, Streptococci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Moraxella. Pseudomembrane formation are associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, β-hemolytic streptococci and C. diphtheriae
  2. Viral: Adenovirus, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), HIV, Picornavirus, Poxvirus
  3. Allergic: Allergens and these may differ among people. Try to find the allergens that triggers you.
  4. A chemical eye injury: Either an acid or alkali substance getting into the eye.

TREATMENT

Bacterial

  • Even without treatment it can resolve on its own in 10-15 days.
  • Topical antibiotic drops are prescribed for the affected eye or an antibiotic cream or the combination of both.
  • In severe cases, I.V or I.M. antibiotics are also considered.

Viral

  • It is self-limiting and resolves on its own within 3 weeks.
  • Treatment available only for symptomatic relief and not for the viral infection.
  • Treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis is supportive and they are instructed to use cold compresses and lubricants like artificial tears. Use of povidone iodine is a new promising treatment in adenoviral conjunctivitis.
  • Topical steroids can help with symptoms.

Allergic

  • Cool water rinsing, using artificial tears may help with discomfort in mild cases.
  • Anti-histamines eye drops or oral anti-histamines.
  • Mast cell stabilizers: They may take time to bring relief but once it is into work the effect lasts longer.
  • Combination of both anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers.
  • NSAIDs, steroids at severe cases in case of swelling and pain.

What are the measures taken to avoid spreading and steps for prevention?

  • Avoid touching the infected eye with your hands.
  • If you have touched say for applying eye drops, then wash your hands for at least 20 sec.
  • Be aware not contaminate others because it is highly contagious. 
  • Clean your eyes frequently as discharge will be produced from time to time.
  • Use a clean cloth so as to clean your eyes and later wash the cloth in hot water along with soap or detergent. Use of antiseptic like Dettol will be much better.
  • Take special care not to share your items with others and also not use same items for both eyes if it hasn’t spread to other eye yet.
  • Restrain the use of contact lenses or any other products that may cause an irritation to the eye like eye makeup, eye lashes…
  • Avoid sharing pillowcases, sheets, clothes, towels, touching anybody so as to avoid contamination.
  • Protect your eyes from dust and other foreign particles that may cause
  • If you are a caretaker, wash your hands too after assisting them.
  • Don’t contaminate the tip of the eye drops by touching it on affected eye.
  • Don’t use any prior prescribed medications that has already been opened and used.
  • Use a separate case for eyeglasses.
  • Avoid using public pools.
  • In case of allergic conjunctivitis, find your trigger and try to stay away or avoid it.
  • For seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, supportive care must be opted like frequent lubrication and keeping ice or cold compressions over the eyes so as to help swelling and itching. In severe cases use of medications must be considered.

Written by Gayathri Gopinadh

×

Enter Your Institute & Institute Address to get more benefits