Naturally, your eye has several layers protecting it and aiding in its functioning. Conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the white areas of your eyes. However, when blood vessels in that membrane develop an inflammation, your eyes may turn red and appear irritated. Do not wait for the worsening of symptoms before seeking treatment at Refresh Wellness to help relieve your symptoms. You will undergo an eye exam to diagnose your condition and determine the right treatment. Treatment will also depend on the cause and how severe you are experiencing symptoms. Here is a discussion on what to know about conjunctivitis.
How Will You Know You Have Conjunctivitis?
Your symptoms for this eye condition will include redness, itchiness, a gritty feeling, and discharge in one or both of your eyes. The discharge in your eye may form a crust at night and prevent your eye from opening in the morning. You may also develop sensitivity to light and a tearing feeling in your eye. Conjunctivitis can develop from viral and bacterial eye infections, chemical splashes, and a foreign object in your eye. Your newborn may also develop pink eye from a blocked tear duct. Allergic conjunctivitis can develop when your eye contacts an allergy-causing substance which may cause intense itching, inflammation, and tearing of the eyes.
Can You Prevent The Spread of Conjunctivitis?
Your doctor may recommend practicing good hygiene to control the spread of this eye condition. You will stop touching your eyes with your hands, wash your hands, use a clean washcloth daily, and not share them. You may also have to throw away old makeup, avoid sharing personal eye care items and change your pillowcases often. As for your newborn, your doctor will apply antibiotic ointment shortly after birth to help prevent eye infection.
What Will Be The Treatment For Conjunctivitis?
Your treatment will focus on relieving uncomfortable conjunctivitis symptoms. Your doctor may recommend using artificial tears and a wet cloth to clean your eyelids and apply compresses daily. You may also need to stop wearing contact lenses until you complete your treatment and throw out soft contacts you may have worn already. Disinfect your hard lenses overnight before reusing them, and talk to your doctor about replacing your contact lens accessories. Since conjunctivitis is mostly a viral infection, antibiotics will not help relieve your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend antiviral medications if you have conjunctivitis from the herpes simplex virus.
Are There Complications To Conjunctivitis?
You can lower the risk of complications from conjunctivitis by seeing your doctor as soon as your symptoms begin for evaluation and treatment. Conjunctivitis can cause inflammation in your cornea, which may affect your vision. You may also develop eye pain, blurred vision, and a feeling like something is stuck in your eye.
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is an eye infection that develops from inflammation of blood vessels in your conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis can affect anyone, and it is important to seek treatment to relieve your symptoms and prevent the further spread of the infection. Your symptoms will include redness, itchiness, eye discharge, and tearing. Infants may develop conjunctivitis from a blocked tear duct. Your treatment will include using artificial tears, avoiding contact lenses, and applying warm or cold compresses daily. You will not need antibiotics because they may not be effective in relieving your symptoms.
