Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of conjunctiva, mainly in the transparent part over the white part of the eye. Due to the congestion of blood vessels near that eye appears slightly pinkish, so its other name is “pink eye”.

It is very contagious and nowadays it spreads very rapidly.

Classification of conjunctivitis :-

Mainly it can be classified in three types-

• Bacterial conjunctivitis
• Viral conjunctivitis
• Allergic conjunctivitis

Other than that there are chemical conjunctivitis and neonatal conjunctivitis which mainly affects neonates.

Causes :-

• Bacteria (eg. Streptococcus, staphylococcus )
• Virus ( Adenovirus )
• Insect
• Common cold
• URTI ( upper respiratory tract infection )
• Lacrimal duct obstruction
• Air pollution
• Exposure to chemicals
• Contaminated eye makeup
• Poor hygiene

Symptoms :-

• Pinkish appearance of eye
• Chemosis (Swelling of the conjunctivitis)
• Increased tear production than normal
• Itching, irritation, burning sensation in the affected eye
• Production of thick eye discharge ( viral conjunctivitis )
• Watery discharge ( bacterial conjunctivitis)
• Crusting of eyelids or eye lashes
• Feeling of a foreign body stuck in the eye

How to get relief from it? ( Home care)

• Do proper hand washing before touching the eye
• Try to use new tissue every time while wiping discharge from eye
• Wash or change pillow cover everyday
• Clean eyes with boiled cool water
• Don’t touch both eyes with the same tissue or the same hand without handwashing
• Don’t use eye cosmetics this time
• Don’t share clothes, eye makeup, contact lenses
• Use dark black eye glasses
• Avoid rubbing eyes
• Apply prescribed medications
• Take proper rest
• Avoid going to the office or schools for 2 to 3 days
• Lie on the side of the affected eye to avoid contamination of the unaffected eye from the affected eye

Treatment :-

It usually takes 7 to 14 days to cure without treatment but 3 to 4 days is enough with early treatment. However in some cases viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks to cure.

Some antibiotic drops may be used such as ciprofloxacin ( 0.3%), Ofloxacin (0.3%).

Anti inflammatory and analgesic drugs may be used such as ibuprofen, paracetamol.

Mainly maintaining hygiene and isolation is the best way to avoid spreading the contamination in the society.