Conjunctivitis

Allergies and Your Eyes Video

Conjunctivitis is the swelling of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that covers the white part of the front of your eye and inside of your eyelids and. This is often called "pink eye".

Symptoms of conjunctivitis

• Itchiness

• Mild blurred vision

• Mild to moderate eyelid swelling

• Eye irritation

• Redness of the eye

• Increased tearing, mucous or discharge

Types of conjunctivitis

There are three types of conjunctivitis:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis

  This is contagious and can be spread from one person to another. It causes a red eye and usually, copious discharge too. You may experience difficulty in opening your eyes because of the stickiness. Severe cases may go onto to have permanent decrease in vision.

• Viral conjunctivitis

  This highly contagious condition is usually associated with flu-like symptoms, but can occur on its own and is normally self-limiting. Vision can be negatively affected in a minority of cases.

• Allergic conjunctivitis

  This is not contagious and is caused by the body’s reaction to an allergen or irritant. Some of the symptoms are burning, tearing, redness of the conjunctiva and puffy eyelids. Severe and chronic cases can lead to loss of vision.

Treatment for conjunctivitis

Do seek urgent medical attention if your vision is affected, or if there is pain. Our eye specialist will treat you according to what he diagnoses as the root cause of conjunctivitis, ie, bacterial, viral or allergic.

How can I reduce the risk of getting conjunctivitis?

• Wash your hands often

• Avoid touching your eyes with your unwashed hands

• Change your pillowcase, towels and handkerchiefs frequently

• Do not share eye cosmetics, utensils, towels with anyone who is having conjunctivitis

• Good contact lenses care and hygiene

• Do not wear contact lenses when you have a red or pink eye