Pink eye or conjunctivitis has become a familiar problem in which a transparent membrane, of blood vessels also called conjunctiva, overshadows the white part of the eyes and it requires a proper conjunctivitis treatment.
Understand conjunctivitis:
Mere redness in your eye is not a cause for concern, but conjunctivitis has to be differentiated from the other types of inflammation. Eye swelling or infection probably allows some thin blood vessels in the eyes as well as in the inner part of the eyelids to become inflamed; thereby these blood vessels are more visible in the eyes. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial or due to viral infection, and it mostly attacks children and adolescents, as they are not so strongly immune to allergic reactions.
It’s also important to note that conjunctivitis can be contagious that spreads from eye-to-hand and hand-to-eye, so pink eye treatment emphasises more on sanitation and cleanliness. There are some rare cases too in which patients infected with conjunctivitis lose their eyesight or become a victim of low vision. One should know pink eye symptoms and causes for the effective treatment.
Causes of conjunctivitis:
The conjunctiva is mostly affected by virus and bacteria. The highly contagious hemorrhagic eye infections are caused by one of two enteroviruses – Coxsackievirus A24 and Enterovirus 70. The chronic bacterial conjunctivitis, which remains active for 3-4 weeks, is typically caused by Moraxella lacuna and Staphylococcus aureus. Other than that, allergic conjunctivitis is caused by various allergens that include cosmetics, pollen, smoke, perfumes, dust mites and pharmaceutical items.
Some more causes could be:
- Chemical exposure
- Chlamydia
- Certain diseases
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Excess use of contact lenses
Newborn babies are often infected with bacteria in the birth canal (ophthalmia neonatorum). The specialists of conjunctivitis often conduct the patch test to identify the exact cause of pink eye.
Pink eye symptoms:
The swelling of the conjunctiva (chemosis) and water dropping (epiphora) are very common symptoms of conjunctivitis. Some other conditions also indicate the presence of pink eye that include:
- Blurred eye vision
- Continuous eye pain
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
- Crusts on the eyelid formed overnight
- Increased tearing
- Itching of the eye
- Feeling more sensitive to UV rays
If you feel or observe any of these symptoms, it could be an indication of the pink eye problem. You have to consult an eye specialist who will analyse eye fluid and performs some specific vision tests to establish the level of eye inflammation. Some pink eye symptoms vanish on their own, but others require mild to extensive treatments. Since conjunctivitis is not a permanent (though a possible perilous eye disease), there are some proper and effective pink eye treatments available for one and all.
Prevention of conjunctivitis:
The prevention of pink eye is as important as treatment. To keep the distance from the people having eye infection is the first and foremost step for disallowing virus or bacteria responsible for conjunctivitis. Some other precautions are necessary to consider, such as:
- Prevent frequent eye touching or rubbing
- Keep sanitation solutions
- Wash hands cleanly
- Use fresh cotton ball or tissue paper to wash eye drainage
- Wash eyes with lukewarm water
- Keep your bed linens, towels, clothes and pillowcases clean
- Avoid wearing the excess of eye makeup
- Avoid wearing another’s spectacles
- Don’t share your eye makeup products with anyone
- Prefer eyeglasses over contact lenses
- Practicing good hygiene at home and outside
- Use some eye drops to under prescription
Also Read: Understanding vision problem: Myopia
Conjunctivitis diagnosis:
There are three factors as bacteria, virus and allergy responsible for causing pink eye, so you should know how to take pink eye treatment for removing their effects.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment
The Eye infections or inflammation caused by bacteria is not a very serious state, and it can be treated within a few days by using some antibiotic eye drops. Sometimes, antibiotic eye ointment is prescribed to an infant or children. Carefully follow the full course of antibiotics to prevent any possible recurrence of pink eye symptoms. - Viral conjunctivitis remedy
Most of the cases of viral conjunctivitis occur with the change of seasons, and it gradually disappears on its own within 2-4 weeks. Its intensity is increased in the cool environment. Usually, a person with viral pink eye problem has redness in one or both eyes discharging water or a small amount of mucus through vision remains unaffected. One can take antiviral medicines under doctor’s prescription. Some steroids are also referred to a speedy recovery from viral conjunctivitis. - Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis
The allergy-associated pinkeye can only be diagnosed by keeping the allergic substances away from the contact of eyes or body. Doctors prescribe different eye drops that alleviate the effects of allergy as well as control allergic reactions that cause eye infections. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be tried along with some natural or home treatment for removing pink eye symptoms. One must seek medical advice in the case of allergic conjunctivitis. Otherwise, it may increase fast.
Also Read: Dealing Pink Eye in Children
Conclusion:
Though pink eye seems to be normal and hazardless, but any problem related to the eye cannot be taken lightly. Infants and children are mostly affected by the pink eye, so they need special attention for diagnosing. Conjunctivitis treatment and effective drugs are available, and they are not very expensive. Some natural methods are also there that can gradually remove eye inflammation and maintain vision like a healthy one.