What is Conjunctivitis? Symptoms and Treatment

Conjunctivitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the transparent layer surrounding the eyeball. The disease is also known as 'red eye' because it causes redness in the eye. This condition, which may occur due to various reasons such as bacteria, viruses, allergies, can be contagious in some cases. If it is contagious, it is important for the person to comply with the hygiene rules and isolate himself if possible, in order not to spread the disease. Conjunctivitis treatment is done according to the factor that causes the disease.

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis occurs when the layer called conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eye and the eyelid, becomes inflamed. The reason for this inflammation is; Bacterial or viral infection, allergic reaction, especially in infants, tears may not be fully opened. Fungi, parasites, various chemicals, and foreign bodies that come into contact with the eye can also cause conjunctivitis.
Viruses are among the most common causes of conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious disease and can cause epidemics in the community. Viruses that lead to the development of conjunctivitis; adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella zooster virus.
Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs as a result of infection of the conjunctiva layer covering the eye with various bacterial species. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae more commonly, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis bacterial species can infect the conjunctiva. Bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children than adults. It is contagious like viral conjunctivitis and can be seen in epidemics in October-April.
The body's response to allergenic substances such as pollen, grass, dust causes allergic conjunctivitis. When a person who is sensitive to an allergen substance encounters this substance, his body produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E. Immunoglobulin E stimulates mast cells in the layers of the eye and respiratory tract and causes the secretion of various inflammatory substances such as histamine from these cells. In response to the histamine secreted in the body, allergic symptoms such as redness and discharge occur in the eyes. Acute atopic conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis that occurs due to allergic causes. Iva inflammation.
Conjunctivitis may also develop due to eye irritation. Chemical splashes in the eyes, foreign matter contact may cause damage to the conjunctival layer. Washing the eye with plenty of water in cases such as chemical splashes or foreign body stinging may also rarely cause conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis due to irritation usually heals within a few days. If washing with water does not work after an irritant comes into the eye, and if the conjunctivitis symptoms last longer than a few days, it will be useful to apply to the nearest health institution. Because conjunctivitis, especially caused by chemical exposure, may cause permanent damage to the eye.
Conjunctivitis symptoms may vary depending on the factor causing conjunctivitis and the body's response to inflammation. The most common symptoms of conjunctivitis:

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Itching in one or both eyes
• Eye discharge, watery eyes

The discharge from the eye can continue throughout the night and cause the formation of burrs that cause the eyelids and eyelashes to stick together. When a person wakes up in the morning, he cannot open his eyes. In this case, this shell that prevents the eye from opening should be moistened and cleaned gently. The character of the discharge in the eye can be useful in determining the factor that causes conjunctivitis. In the type called serous discharge, the discharge is water-like and transparent. It is frequently seen in viral and allergic conjunctivitis. For example, a patient with adenoviral conjunctivitis may have a large amount of serous discharge, such as weeping, from the eye. Mucoid type, on the other hand, is the condition in which the discharge is white in color that lengthens as it pulls in a filamentous fashion. Allergies that cause chronic irritation of the eye surface, such as year-round allergies, can lead to mucoid discharge. Purulent discharge, in which the discharge from the eye is purulent, is also often observed in bacterial conjunctivitis. The condition in which the discharge is yellow-green is often seen in gonococcal conjunctivitis caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Who Are the Risk Groups?

Those at risk for conjunctivitis:

• People with allergies
• Those who are in crowded places such as kindergartens, schools, offices where viruses or bacteria can easily spread
• Do not change it at long intervals They can be counted as those who wear lenses of the grown type.

Although these people are in the risky group, it is possible to protect these people from the disease by taking the necessary precautions.

How is the Diagnosis and Treatment of Conjunctivitis?

The patient's signs and symptoms are usually sufficient for diagnosis. The answers to questions such as when the patient's symptoms started, in which situations the symptoms worsened, whether there are others with conjunctivitis in their relatives, whether they have allergies, contain information that can help the doctor in making a diagnosis. Culture test by taking a sample from the eye discharge is also rarely used, but it is among the methods that can help in diagnosis.
Conjunctivitis treatment is done to alleviate its symptoms. Artificial tear drops, cleaning the eyelids with a damp cloth, applying warm or cold to the eyes are relaxing methods used in the treatment. It is recommended that conjunctivitis patients do not wear contact lenses during the illness, if they do. Wearing eye make-up is also one of the behaviors that should be avoided during conjunctivitis.
There is no benefit in using antibiotic drops in the treatment of viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms that usually start in one eye and appear in the other eye within a few days tend to disappear spontaneously. In this process, it is recommended to apply eye relaxing methods and rest the eye. Antiviral agents can be used in the treatment of conjunctivitis caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Antibiotics are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. antibiotics; shortens the duration of infection, reduces disease-related complications and prevents the spread of the disease. Antibiotic eye drops are generally used in adults, while ointments in the form of ointments provide ease of use in children. Mild bacterial conjunctivitis may heal without the need for antibiotic treatment. However, in patients who develop complications or have a weakened immune system, antibiotic therapy is started regardless of the severity of the symptoms. The antibiotic drug to be used is determined by the type of bacteria that may cause the disease.
Eye drops that soothe allergic reactions in case of allergic conjunctivitis It is an effective treatment method. Anti-allergic drugs inhibit the release of histamine, while anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation. The use of these two drug groups in various combinations allows the healing of allergic conjunctivitis.

How to Prevent Conjunctivitis?

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious diseases and can easily be transmitted from person to person. There are simple steps to be followed by the infected person to prevent the spread of the disease and becoming an epidemic. These are:

• Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning hands with a disinfectant containing at least 60% alcohol in cases where hand washing is not possible
• not touching the eyes with hands to prevent
• Wiping the discharge from the eye with a clean cloth
• Frequently changing pillowcases and sheets
• Relinquishing the use of lenses for as long as the doctor recommends
• Cleaning the glasses
• Not using places such as pools and baths
• Using different eye drop bottles for infected and healthy eyes
• Personal care such as towels and napkins not sharing products with others
• The use of products used especially in eye make-up, such as mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, by a single person.

People who are in close contact with someone who has conjunctivitis should pay attention to hand hygiene, It will be beneficial not to touch the eyes with the product, not to use the items that come into contact with the infected person, and to provide hand hygiene after use if it has to be used. Therefore, redness in the eye that does not go away for a long time can be a sign of a serious disease. In such cases, it will be useful to apply to the nearest health center. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.

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