Answers to Your Questions About Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and a portion of the front of the eye. This condition appears in many forms and affects people of all ages. The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and chemical.

The infectious form; commonly know as “pink eye” is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria. Your body’s allergies to pollen, cosmetics, animals or fabrics often bring on allergic conjunctivitis. And, irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming pools may produce the chemical form.

The common signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis are red eyes, inflamed inner eyelids, water eyes, blurred vision and a sandy or scratchy feeling in the eyes. With the infectious form, there may be a watery or puslike discharge around the eyelids.

To avoid giving infectious conjunctivitis to others, keep your hand away from your eyes; thoroughly wash your hands before and after applying eye medication; do not share towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eye drops with others and seek treatment promptly.

Certain form of conjunctivitis can develop into a more serious condition that may harm your eye. Therefore, it’s important to have your condition diagnosed and properly treated quickly. Infectious conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment. Other infectious forms, caused by viruses, can’t be treated with antibiotics. They are fought off by your body’s immune system. The ideal treatment for both allergic and chemical conjunctivitis is to remove the cause of the allergy or irritation.