Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that causes redness and inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin layer of tissue that lines the front of the eye.
People often confuse conjunctivitis with red eyes and consider them the same.
Other symptoms of conjunctivitis include itchy and watery eyes, and sometimes a sticky discharge on the eyelashes (if caused by an allergy).
Conjunctivitis can initially affect one eye, but usually affects both eyes after a few hours.
What causes conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis can be caused by:
A bacterial or viral infection - known as infectious conjunctivitis.
An allergic reaction to dust or air pollution - known as allergic conjunctivitis.
When the eye comes into contact with substances such as shampoo or chlorinated water that irritate the conjunctiva; or is caused by rubbing the eye - this is called irritant conjunctivitis.
Treatment of conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis usually does not require specific treatment, as its symptoms usually disappear within several weeks. If treatment is needed, the type of treatment depends on what caused the conjunctivitis. In cases where the symptoms are severe, antibiotic eye drops are prescribed to clear the eye infection.
Irritant conjunctivitis usually resolves quickly by removing the irritant.
Allergic conjunctivitis is usually resolved with anti-allergy medications such as antihistamines. If possible, try to avoid the substance you are allergic to until your allergy improves.
It is best not to wear contact lenses until the symptoms of conjunctivitis have resolved. Remove any discharge from around your eyelashes or eyelids with a damp cotton ball.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and do not share towels or pillowcases. These hygiene tips will help prevent conjunctivitis from spreading to others.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, see an eye doctor immediately:
Eye pain
Sensitivity to light
Blurred vision
Severe redness in one or both eyes
A baby with conjunctivitis
Work and school
According to Public Health England, if someone has conjunctivitis, there is no need to take time off work or school unless the symptoms are severe and you feel very unwell.
If your child's nursery or school has a large number of children with conjunctivitis, it is recommended that you keep your child away from them until their eye infection has cleared up.
Adults who work in close contact with others and share phones and computers should generally stay away from work until the conjunctivitis discharge has completely cleared.
Complications
Conjunctivitis, especially allergic conjunctivitis, can be a bothersome condition. However, in most cases, it is not a serious health risk.
Complications of conjunctivitis are rare, but when they do occur, they are usually serious and include:
Severe allergic conjunctivitis can lead to scarring of the eye.
In infectious conjunctivitis, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and lead to very serious infections such as meningitis.
Neonatal conjunctivitis
Neonatal conjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis that can affect newborn babies under 28 days old.
In most cases, neonatal conjunctivitis is not dangerous. In a small number of these babies, the infection is passed to the baby from the mother who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
These infections do not necessarily cause any symptoms in the mother, so the mother may not know she has the infection. It is important to know that sexually transmitted infections can cause very serious and dangerous complications if left untreated. If you notice any type of red eye in your baby, see a doctor immediately.