Conjunctivitis: Its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
For most of us, getting infected with conjunctivitis, or popularly known as “pink eye,” is quite common, and we have incurred the same at least once. But what causes conjunctivitis, and how does it manifest the same?. In simple words, conjunctivitis refers to the swelling of the conjunctiva, which is an extremely thin layer of tissue in the eye.
While conjunctivitis often has different symptoms, the most common one is redness of the eye and an itchy sensation. Usually, there are different types of conjunctivitis as well, and hence, you need to be sure of the variant before you choose the treatment type for the infected eye.
Common Causes of Conjunctivitis
Some of the most common reasons behind developing conjunctivitis are:
As the name suggests, this type of conjunctivitis is usually caused due to a viral infection. The infection is caused by bacteria like adenovirus or sometimes even the herpes simplex virus. The common symptoms associated with this form of infection are a cold, sore throat, and mild respiratory congestion.
A lot of people do not know this, but you might end up getting conjunctivitis from a bacterial infection as well. Bacterial conjunctivitis is an eye infection that affects the conjunctiva. It is usually the thin, transparent membrane lining the inside of the eyelids and covering the white part of the eye until it meets the cornea at the limbus.
This condition typically leads to symptoms such as eye redness, sticky or pus-like discharge. Sometimes you might also have a gritty or irritated feeling. There are chances of blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light.
As the name suggests, this type of conjunctivitis is usually a result of the reaction to an allergy caused by pollen. Usually, conjunctivitis of this nature is seen across both eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis causes intense itching, and the infected person might be shedding a lot of tears as well.
Allergic conjunctivitis can also, in some cases, cause inflammation and redness. Although rare, people with allergic conjunctivitis often sneeze too much, and they have an involuntary nasal discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis usually has a sudden onset.
Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
The most common sign of conjunctivitis that you might have heard about is red or pink eye. But, if the cause of conjunctivitis is a bacterial infection, then there are high chances that there will be a yellow or sometimes even greenish discharge. The discharge will be so incessant that it will make your eyelids stick to each other.
While the combination of symptoms tends to differ from one individual to the other, some of the most common and visible ones include teary and puffy eyes, runny nose, itching or burning sensation, blurring of vision, and severe pain in some cases.
Treatment of Conjunctivitis
One of the worst things about getting conjunctivitis is that you have to confine yourself; otherwise, it can spread to other people very easily. The most common approach for treating conjunctivitis is ensuring that you can get some kind of relief from the persistent symptoms. To make sure that you can give your eyes the much-needed rest and relief, try to give hot or cold compression to the eyelids.
If you are someone who wears contact lenses regularly, then it is advisable that you do not wear the same throughout the entire time until you recover. In case the lenses are disposable, throw them out and do not wear them if you have worn them before, as this can cause an infection. It is also suggested that you do not use your hands to rub your eyes. If you do want to touch your eyes, ensure that you have sanitized them well before use.
Taking care of your eyes is a mandate if you have incurred conjunctivitis. Try to wear some kind of glasses so that you do not infect your eyes further. To get the best advice, it is suggested that you get in touch with the best eye clinic in Gurgaon. One eye clinic that you can trust is Drishti Eye Centre. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and a team of the best eye doctors, this eye care centre in Gurgaon is a top choice. All you need to do is book an appointment at the earliest. The clinic is quite affordable as well, and hence you will be able to get the best treatment options, but on a budget.
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