Conjunctivitis

What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is an infection of the mucous lining of the eye called the conjunctiva. It is often referred to as "pink eye ". The delicate conjunctiva has very fine blood vessels that when infected become swollen, red, and irritated.

What causes conjunctivitis?
There are many causes of infection. Both viruses and bacteria create a red eye that is associated with a considerable amount of drainage. In some cases, these infections can be accompanied by a sore throat and runny nose. The condition can last from 1-2 weeks and is very contagious. Therefore, hand washing is essential after contact with the eye. Likewise, infected individuals should use their own handkerchief and towels. If someone is working in an environment where they are in close contact with other people, they may have to stay off work for a few days until the infection has cleared. This is especially important for teachers, nurses and other health care workers.

Treatment
There are a variety of medications used in the treatment of conjunctivitis. An examination in the office in most cases determines the nature of the disorder. In some circumstances, a culture may need to be obtained to help identify the cause. The most common treatment is topical drops in the eye. Care should be taken when administering these drops so that the bottle does not become contaminated. Cleaning the tip with alcohol can prevent infection. Any makeup, contact lens solution, and in some cases, the contact lenses themselves, must be discarded in order to prevent re-infection.