CONJUNCTIVITIS – RED EYE

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

BY: ANDREW
SHANON
Inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid.
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which
covers the white part of the eyeball.
 CAUSES OF CONJUNCTIVITIS
• It can be caused by allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious and is spread
by contact with eye secretions from someone who is infected
2. Viral Conjunctivitis
1. Bacterial Conjunctivitis • Viral infections cause nearly 80% of all conjunctivitis cases. Many different
viruses, such as adenovirus, which typically leads to the common cold, can
• Although more rare, bacterial infections can be the source of infection. Viral conjunctivitis spreads easily via touch from
also cause conjunctivitis. Types of bacteria person to person, making outbreaks common among children in schools or
daycare centers.
that cause pink eye include:
• Staphylococcus aureus 3. Allergic Conjunctivitis
• Allergic reactions occur when your body responds abnormally to an allergen
• Streptococcus pneumoniae that is otherwise harmless. In this case, mast cells in your eye recognize
allergens as foreign invaders and release a chemical called histamine as a
• Hemophilic influenzae defense mechanism. In turn, the histamine causes inflammation and swelling
that leave your eyes red, teary, and itchy.
• Moraxella catarrhalis • Allergens that cause a runny nose or sneezing can also affect your eyes.
• Chlamydia trachomatis These allergens include pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, or smoke. Certain
types of perfume, skin care or eye care products, or medications can also
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae trigger eye allergies. For example, some over-the-counter or prescription eye
drops have preservative chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.
 Signs and symptoms of conjunctivis
• Pink or red color in the white of the eye(s)
• Swelling of the conjunctiva (the thin layer that lines the white part of
the eye and the inside of the eyelid) and/or eyelids
• Increased tear production
• Feeling like a foreign body is in the eye(s) or an urge to rub the
eye(s)
• Itching, irritation, and/or burning
• Discharge (pus or mucus)
• Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning
• Contact lenses that feel uncomfortable and/or do not stay in place on
the eye
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Eye pain.
• Eye redness.
• Vision loss.
 Diagnosis
• A doctor can often determine whether a virus, bacterium, or allergen is causing the conjunctivitis (pink eye) based on patient history, symptoms,
and an examination of the eye. Conjunctivitis always involves eye redness or swelling, but it also has other symptoms that can vary depending on
the cause. However, it can sometimes be difficult to make a firm diagnosis because some symptoms are the same no matter the cause.
• It can also sometimes be difficult to determine the cause without doing laboratory testing. Although not routinely done, your healthcare provider
may collect a sample of eye discharge from the infected eye and send it to the laboratory to help them determine which form of infection you
have and how best to treat it.
• Visual Acuity Tests
• Doctors also check to see if conjunctivitis has affected your vision by conducting a visual acuity test. This test checks to see how well you can
read letters or symbols from 20 feet away, while covering one eye at a time.

• Eye Culture
• If you have had conjunctivitis for more than two or three weeks and it has not gone away on its own or with the help of home treatments, your
doctor may want to perform an eye culture. During this test, your doctor takes a sample of the cells on the inside of your eyelids with a cotton
swab and sends it to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist.

• A pathologist, who studies diseases under a microscope, can determine whether your conjunctivitis is caused by viruses or bacteria. This helps
your doctor determine the most effective treatment.
 Treatment
• Conjunctivitis will normally get better on its own, without any medical treatment, in around one to two
weeks. Bathing and cleaning the eyelids with sterile pads/cotton wool and clean water (Boil the water and
then let it cool down), is normally all that is needed.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotic drops or ointment, as this may help to speed up the
process to clear the infection within a few days (5-7 days). However, it should get better without any drops
or ointment.
• Viral conjunctivitis there is currently no effective treatment for this, but artificial tears, using a cold
compress (such as clean cotton wool balls soaked in cold water), and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
(NSAID) such as Ibuprofen may make the eyes feel more comfortable. Antibiotic drops or ointment will
not help with viral conjunctivitis
• If a child is below two years of age and has conjunctivitis, please contact your GP. They may prescribe an
alternative antibiotic, such as fucithalmic (prevent blurred vision) as either drops or ointment.
• If you have conjunctivitis, please visit your local pharmacist for advice. Artificial tears and antibiotic
ointment (Chloramphenicol) can be purchased over the counter (if recommended).
 prevention
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Wash them especially well before and after cleaning,
or applying eye drops or ointment to, your infected eye. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands. (See CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives! website for tips on proper handwashing.)
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. This can worsen the condition or spread it to your other eye.
• With clean hands, wash any discharge from around your eye(s) several times a day using a clean, wet washcloth or fresh cotton
ball. Throw away cotton balls after use, and wash used washcloths with hot water and detergent, then wash your hands again
with soap and warm water.
• Do not use the same eye drop dispenser/bottle for your infected and non-infected eyes.
• Wash pillowcases, sheets, washcloths, and towels often in hot water and detergent; wash your hands after handling such items.
• Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay to start wearing them again.
• Clean eyeglasses, being careful not to contaminate items (like hand towels) that might be shared by other people.
• Clean, store, and replace your contact lenses as instructed by your eye doctor.
• Do not share personal items, such as pillows, washcloths, towels, eye drops, eye or face makeup, makeup brushes, contact
lenses, contact lens storage cases, or eyeglasses.
• Do not use swimming pools.