Conjunctivitis
The medical name for “pinkeye,” an inflammation of the transparent membrane covering the white of the eye. This common infection of childhood, also referred to as a “cold in the eye,” causes redness, discomfort, and a discharge from the eye.
Cause
Most conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria (staphylococci) spread by hand-to-eye contact, or by viruses associated with a cold, sore throat, or illness such as measles. Viral conjunctivitis can spread like wildfire through schools and other group settings.
Newborns sometimes contract a type of conjunctivitis called neonatal ophthalmia, caused by infection in the mother’s cervix during birth from either GONORRHEA, genital HERPES, or CHLAMYDIA. The infection may spread to the entire eye and cause blindness.
Symptoms
All types of conjunctivitis lead to redness, itchy, scratchy feelings, discharge, and photophobia (dislike of bright lights). There may be so much discharge that the eyelids stick together in the morning.
Treatment
Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are given if a bacterial infection is suspected; however, this will not cure a viral infection. Warm water may wash away the discharge and remove crusts; in babies, the eye may be washed with sterile saline. In addition to eye drops, the discharge must be cleaned from the eyes, on an hourly basis for the first day.
Complications
A doctor should be called immediately if any of these symptoms appear: swollen red eyelids, blurry vision, severe headache, fever higher than 101°F, or a very painful eye. A doctor should be seen within 24 hours for any of the following symptoms: no improvement after drops or ointment, ear pain, or eyes that get more red or itchy after drops or ointment (which may be an allergic reaction).
Prevention
Hand washing may prevent conjunctivitis, since the disease is spread from hand to eye very easily. Anyone with the disease should have separate washcloths and towels. It is also important that swimming pools and hot tubs be properly chlorinated. Children with conjunctivitis should be kept at home until 24 hours after antibiotics have been taken. Newborns are treated with erthromycin opthalmic solution to prevent the infection.
Tags: cold in the eye, Conjunctivitis, inflammation of the transparent membrane covering the w, pinkeye
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