Brief Description, Types, Sign and Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis or Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of the eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they become more visible. 
This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink. Pink eye is commonly caused by a bacterial infection, viral infection or an allergic reaction. It may affect one or both eyes.
 
Pink eye can be irritating, but it rarely affects vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye. Pink eye can be contagious, hence early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread.

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis

Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis may affect one or both eyes. Viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery discharge whereas bacterial conjunctivitis often produces a thicker, yellow-green discharge which may glue the lid margins together especially in the morning when the patient wakes up. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be associated with colds or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a sore throat.

They are very contagious and are spread through direct or indirect contact with the eye secretions of someone who's infected. Although both adults and children can develop these types of pink eye, bacterial type is more common in children than it is in adults.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is a response to an allergy-causing substance such as pollen and it affects both eyes. In response to these allergens, the body produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) which triggers special cells called mast cells in the mucous lining of the eyes and airways to release inflammatory substances, including histamines. The body's release of histamine can produce a number of allergy signs and symptoms, including red or pink eyes.

Allergic conjunctivitis comes with ropy discharge, intense itching, tearing and inflammation of the eyes — as well as watery nasal discharge and sneezing.

Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis

Most bacterial conjunctivitis cases will clear up in one to two weeks without treatment but prescription of an antibiotic may speed up the healing process. Irrigation of the conjunctival sac with sterile warm saline once a day has proven helpful. Optometrists usually prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or ointment and the patient is advised to follow his instructions and use the antibiotics for the complete period prescribed to prevent the infection from recurring. The patient should expect the signs and symptoms to start getting better in a few days.

Treatment for viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is usually self-limiting and in most cases, no treatment is available. The eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or ointments to prevent secondary infection from occurring but when the condition is caused by herpes simplex virus, antiviral medications maybe given.
Viral conjunctivitis often begins in one eye and then infects the other eye within a few days. Signs and symptoms usually clear up as the virus runs its course over one to two weeks.

Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is treated drugs that;

• Control allergic reactions, such as a combination of antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers.
• Help control inflammation, such as decongestants, steroids and anti-inflammatory eyedrops.