Conjunctivitis - Causes and Signs of Conjunctivitis

Today, there are several types of conjunctivitis:

• viral conjunctivitis - the causative agent is a virus. In most cases, it develops due to upper respiratory tract infections. There are adenovirus, enterovirus hemorrhagic, herpetic viral conjunctivitis;
• allergic conjunctivitis - occurs as a result of exposure to an allergen;

• bacterial conjunctivitis - caused by bacteria that produce pus;
• chlamydial conjunctivitis - damage to the mucous membrane of the eye by chlamydia. As a rule, it is a concomitant disease with a sexually transmitted infection - urogenital chlamydia (in men - urethritis, in women - cervicitis). Also found in newborns from a mother infected with chlamydia;
• Acute conjunctivitis is an acute or rapidly progressing form of the disease;
• Chronic conjunctivitis - the conjunctiva (mucous membrane of the eye) is exposed to irritants (smoke, dust, etc.) for a long time, as a result of which the inflammatory process becomes periodically recurring;

There are also several diseases associated with conjunctivitis:

• Blepharoconjunctivitis - conjunctivitis develops along with inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis);
• Keratoconjunctivitis - conjunctivitis occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the cornea (keratitis).

Causes

Conjunctivitis can be caused by the following reasons:

• penetration of infection (viruses, bacteria, chlamydia) into the mucous membrane of the eye, usually as a result of failure to observe personal hygiene rules. It can be transmitted both through blood and airborne droplets;
• exposure to allergic irritants;
• as a complication of some eye diseases (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia);
• hypersensitivity to some medications;
• violation of the rules for using contact lenses;
• excessively prolonged exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet light;
• hypothermia of the eyes;
• eye strain;
• susceptibility to prolonged exposure to irritants on the conjunctiva (dust, various chemical toxic fumes, smoke, etc.);
• metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency;
• chronic disease of the lacrimal or nasal canals.

Symptoms

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis:

• lacrimation;
• periodic itching;
• involuntary contraction of the eye muscle;
• minor non-purulent discharge is possible;
• the disease may be accompanied by the appearance of transparent films.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis vary depending on its type. But all its forms are characterized by irritation and pronounced redness of the mucous membrane of the eye.

Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis:

• the first signs appear on the 3rd day after infection;
• dryness of the damaged eye and the skin around it;
• cloudy viscous discharge from the eyes (usually after sleep) gray or yellow;
• feeling of a foreign body in the eye;
• swelling of the mucous membrane of the eye;
• sometimes pain is possible.

Symptoms of chlamydial conjunctivitis:

• moderate mucous and purulent discharge;
• minor photophobia;
• enlargement of the lymph nodes located in front of the auricle, on the side of the affected eye;
• inflammation of the auditory tube (eustachitis) is also possible on the side of the lesion;
• formation of follicles on the conjunctiva.

With all this, it is important to note that chlamydial conjunctivitis can quite often develop asymptomatically and its manifestation depends on many factors (area of lesion, features of the body's immune response, etc.).

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis:

• both eyes are affected at once;
• persistent itching;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• lacrimation.

Symptoms of chronic conjunctivitis:

• itching;
• burning;
• feeling of tired eyes;
• feeling of sand behind the eyelids;
• periodic exacerbations.

In acute conjunctivitis, all of the above symptoms are manifested in a pronounced form, serious pain is possible.

Diagnostics

If these symptoms are detected, you should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist who will be able to conduct the necessary consultation, diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Diagnostics include:

• ophthalmoscopy;
• bacterial culture;
• staining the eye with a special dye to detect damage to the mucous membrane and cornea;
• general blood test;
• enzyme immunoassay;
• laboratory tests of a smear from the affected mucous membrane.

Treatment

Conjunctivitis can cause various complications (keratitis, eyelid deformation, etc.) up to and including visual impairment. Therefore, timely treatment and consultation with a doctor are mandatory here. Moreover, you can make an appointment with a doctor online.

Conjunctivitis treatment includes:

• eye drops;
• eye ointments;
• warm compresses (for viral conjunctivitis);
• antihistamines (for allergic conjunctivitis);
• sometimes medications containing antibiotics are prescribed.

Prevention

Prevention of conjunctivitis includes the following rules:

• personal hygiene;
• preventive examination by specialists;
• timely treatment of eye diseases.