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Eye Diseases:
Conjunctivitis
Red, watery eyes, inflamed lids, blurred vision and a sandy or
scratchy feeling in the eyes may indicate that you have
conjunctivitis. Pus-like or watery discharge around the eyelids may
indicate an infectious form of the disease, commonly known as "pink
eye."
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, a
thin, transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and
the front of the eye. It affects people of all ages.
What causes
conjunctivitis?
The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and
chemical. The infectious form, commonly known as "pink eye," is caused
by a contagious virus or bacteria. Your body's allergies to pollen,
cosmetics, animals or fabrics often bring on allergic conjunctivitis.
Irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming
pools may produce the chemical form.
It is
important to prevent spreading conjunctivitis.
If contagious, measures can be taken to prevent spreading
conjunctivitis to others.
- Keep
your hands away from your eyes;
-
Thoroughly wash hands before and after applying eye medications;
- Do not
share towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eyedrops with others;
- Seek
treatment promptly.
Small
children, who may forget these precautions, should be kept away from
school, camp and the swimming pool until the condition is cured.
Certain
forms of conjunctivitis can develop into a serious condition that may
harm your vision. Therefore, it is important to have conjunctivitis
diagnosed and treated quickly.
How is
infectious conjunctivitis treated?
Infectious conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, is usually treated with
antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment. Other infectious forms, caused
by viruses, can't be treated with antibiotics and must be fought off
by your body's immune system. On occasions antibiotics may be
prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections from developing.
How are the
allergic and chemical forms of conjunctivitis treated?
The ideal treatment for both forms is to remove the cause of the
allergy or irritation. For instance, avoid contact with any animal if
it causes an allergic reaction. Wear swimming goggles if chlorinated
water irritates your eyes. In cases where these measures won't work,
prescription and over-the-counter eye drops are available to help
relieve the discomfort.
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