Some Important Eye Disorders


CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is a common condition in which the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and lining the eyelids, becomes inflamed. The affected eye becomes red and sore and may look alarming, but the condition is rarely serious. One or both of the eyes may be affected, and in some cases it begins in one eye then spreads to the other.

What Are the Causes?

Conjunctivitis may be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, or it may result from an allergic reaction or irritation of the conjunctiva for example, by smoke, pollution, or ultraviolet light.
Bacterial conjunctivitis, which is common, may be caused by any of several types of bacteria. Viral conjunctivitis can occur in epidemics caused by one of the viruses responsible for the common cold. It may also be due to the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. Conjunctivitis due to a bacterial or viral infection can be spread by hand-by-eye contact and is usually highly contagious.

Newborn babies sometimes develop conjunctivitis. This can happen if an infection is transmitted to the baby's eyes from the mother's vagina during the birth. This form of conjunctivitis is usually caused by the microorganisms responsible for certain sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydial cervicitis, gonorrhea, and genital herpes.


Allergic conjunctivitis is a common feature of hay fever and of allergy to dust, pollen, and other airborne substances. The condition may also be triggered by chemicals found in eye drops, cosmetics, or contact lens solutions. Allergic conjunctivitis often runs in families.

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of conjunctivitis usually develop over a few hours and are often first experienced on waking. The symptoms generally include:

• Redness of the white of the eye.
• Gritty and uncomfortable sensation in the eye.
• Swelling and itching of the eyelids.
• Discharge that may be yellowish and thick or clear and watery.

The discharge may dry out during sleep and form crusts on the eyelashes and eyelid margins. As a result, the eyelids sometimes stick together on waking.

What Can I Do?

The symptoms of conjunctivitis can be relieved by bathing the eye with artificial tears. To avoid spreading infection, wash your hands after touching the eye and do not share towels or washcloths. Once the conjunctivitis has cleared up, vision is rarely affected.
If you are susceptible to allergic conjunctivitis, avoid exposure to triggering substances. Antiallergy eye drops can be used to ease the symptoms. If an eye becomes painful and red, you should consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of a more serious condition.

What Might the Doctor Do?

Your doctor probably makes a diagnosis from your symptoms. If infection is suspected, he or she may take a sample of the discharge to identify the cause.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated by applying antibiotic drops or ointment. In such cases, the symptoms usually clear up within 48 hours. However, the treatment should be continued for 2-10
days, even if the symptoms improve, to ensure the eradication of infection. Viral conjunctivitis that occurs because of a herpes infection may be treated with eyedrops containing an antiviral drug. Although other types of viral conjunctivitis cannot be treated, their symptoms usually clear up within 2-3 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe eye-drops or oral antiallergy drugs if you have allergic conjunctivitis.

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