Conjunctiva is the whitish layer, covering the entire eye. When it gets infected, it becomes thickened and also becomes reddish in color, then this condition is called ‘’Conjunctivitis”. In rainy season, 1 in 20 persons are affected by this contagious, speedily spreading disease.
Conjunctivitis is of 2 types:
1. Viral conjunctivitis.
2. Bacterial conjunctivitis.
Signs and symptoms of Conjunctivitis:
First of the entire patient feels that there is something in the affected eye and also feel gritting-sensation (sand particles) in the eyes. Patient feels more pain to open the eyes and also to see.
1. Viral conjunctivitis:
Secretions, more of water-like, are flowing from the eyes.
More redness in the eyes.
Pus is somewhat less.
First it appears in one eye, and then spreads to another eye also.
2. Bacterial conjunctivitis:
Secretions are thick in nature, and are more from the eyes.
The eye lids are more adhere to each other.
Redness is much more, compared to viral type.
More pus is seen in the eyes, when you opened the eye lids.
Measures to be taken:
1. Instead of using hand-kerchief, use tissue paper to clean the eyes and throw the paper after using it even for single time.
2. Clean the hands thoroughly before handling any eye drops, and then put them in the eyes.
3. Never rub the eyes. Otherwise, the infection spreads very easily.
4. Use dark cooling – glasses, to prevent dust falling into the eyes and also sun-light directly falling into the eyes.
5. If the school- going children are affected, keep them at home for at least for 7 days, until the infection subsides.
Conjunctivitis Treatment:
1. Use anti-inflammatory eye drops to lessen the burning sensation in the eyes.
2. Apply the antibiotics like, erythromycin eye-ointment two times in a day. If the other antibiotic eye-drops like Ciflox, Chloral ofloxacin are used, they have to be applied in the eyes 4-8 times in a day.
3. Take Co-Trimaxazole tablets two times in a day to prevent further attack of secondary infections, especially in the case of viral conjunctivitis.
4. For Allergic Conjunctivitis, eye drops like “Refresh” are enough along with Anti-allergic drugs.
Medical Advice: After subside of conjunctivitis, if there is any defect in the vision, consult the ophthalmologist immediately, as there may be involvement of the “cornea’’, in conjunctivitis.
The golden rule is: “prevention is better than cure’’, so keep away, especially the children, from the infected persons.
