Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis Pinkeye

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is more commonly referred to as pinkeye. In conjunctivitis, the material covering the white part of the eye and lining the inner parts of the eyelid, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This inflammation results in excessive tearing, pain, and itchiness.

Conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by viral infection. It may also be caused by bacterial infection or allergies. There are rare causal factors in newborns and three to four week old infants.

Who gets conjunctivitis?

Anyone can get conjunctivitis, but it is most common among children. Diagnosis is based on a physical exam and, in some cases, culturing a sample of the discharge from the eye.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be prescribed. Both eyes should be treated even if only one looks infected. It is important to use the drops or ointment exactly as directed by your doctor.

What causes conjunctivitis?

Bacterial conjunctivitis is an infection caused by bacteria such as staphylococci, streptococci

or haemophilus. These organisms may come from the patient’s own skin or upper respiratory tract or they may be caught from another person with conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with the common cold. This may be caused by a virus called ‘adenovirus’. This type of conjunctivitis can spread rapidly between people and may cause an epidemic of conjunctivitis.

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

This is a condition that affects both eyelids. They usually feel gritty with a sticky discharge. Both eyes are red. The eyelids may be stuck together particularly in the mornings, and there may be discharge on the eyelashes.

The eyes are red and there may be a watery discharge. The eyes are uncomfortable and there may also be symptoms of a cold. Sometimes there are tender lymph nodes around the ear or the neck. This type of conjunctivitis may also spread to affect the cornea (keratitis) and it may persist for several weeks.

How long does conjunctivitis last?

Viral conjunctivitis usually runs its course in one to two weeks.

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