CONJUNCTIVITIS

Symptoms

• Eyelids sticking together on waking up
• Redness of eye
• Itching, burning or foreign body sensation in eye
• Discharge from eye that may be pus in bacterial conjunctivitis
• Distortion of vision
• Photophobia
• History of contact with similar illness in family or friends

Causes

• Bacterial
• Viral
• Fungal
• Parasitic
• Toxic
• Allergic
• Chemical

Diagnosis

Mostly clinical: Visual acuity, fluorescein staining, slit lamp examination

Culture and sensitivity of the discharge

Preventions

Patient should avoid touching their eyes and wash their hands thoroughly after eye contact

Towels, handkerchief and other items used by patient should be properly sterilized

Treatment

Often supportive and depends upon the cause

Artificial tear drops

Cold, moist compression

Antibiotic eye drops: it also helps in prevention of secondary bacterial infection