Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.
The conjunctiva protects and lubricates the eye. When it becomes inflamed, symptoms such as redness, increased tearing, discharge, and a foreign body sensation may occur.
Conjunctivitis is a very common condition that can be caused by various factors, including bacterial or viral infections, allergies, and irritants.
While it is usually a mild condition, appropriate treatment is necessary depending on the cause. Highly contagious forms of conjunctivitis can spread rapidly, requiring caution.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis progresses rapidly in its early stages and is highly contagious, making prompt initial treatment crucial.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, we recommend you immediately undergo an eye examination and begin appropriate treatment.
The blood vessels in the conjunctiva dilate,
causing the whites of the eyes to appear pink or red.
Viral infections are characterized by clear, watery discharge,
while bacterial infections produce thick, sticky, yellow or green pus-like discharge.
Allergic reactions cause clear,
sticky mucous discharge.
It feels gritty,
like sand has gotten into my eye.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
Infectious (bacterial, viral)
It is primarily caused by infection with pathogens such as bacteria or viruses and is highly contagious.
Allergic (non-infectious)
This condition occurs when an immune response to specific external substances, such as pollen or house dust mites, becomes excessive, leading to inflammation.
Other/Irritant (Non-infectious)
외부의 물리적 또는 화학적 자극으로 인해
결막에 염증이 발생하는 경우입니다. 화장품이나 콘택트렌즈가 원인이 될 수 있습니다.
Prevention Guidelines for Conjunctivitis
Wash your hands frequently with soap, and avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands.
Avoid contact with patients with epidemic conjunctivitis and disinfect objects they have touched (door handles, faucets, etc.). Patients should avoid using swimming pools and public bathhouses while symptomatic and refrain from attending school or work.
Rubbing your eyes can spread infection or worsen symptoms.
If it itches, use a cold compress or artificial tears.
Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious. It remains contagious for approximately 10 to 14 days after symptoms appear and spreads easily through direct contact or contaminated objects.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can also be contagious, but less so than viral conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Most cases of simple conjunctivitis do not affect vision. However, if the inflammation spreads to the cornea (keratoconjunctivitis), vision loss may occur.
Particularly in adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, if subepithelial corneal opacities develop, vision impairment may persist for weeks to months. Conditions like herpes keratitis and gonococcal conjunctivitis can also threaten vision through corneal complications.
Identifying and avoiding the causative allergen is most important. Confirm the cause through allergy testing and thoroughly manage the environment (washing bedding, using air purifiers, avoiding going out during pollen season, etc.). Instilling mast cell stabilizers in advance during periods when symptoms are expected can help prevent them.
In severe cases, immunotherapy (allergy shots/sublingual immunotherapy) may be considered.
You should stop wearing contact lenses while experiencing symptoms of conjunctivitis. Lenses can worsen the infection or increase the risk of corneal complications.
Only resume wearing them after symptoms have completely resolved and your eye doctor gives permission. It is advisable to discard the lenses and cases used during the infection and replace them with new ones.
Check out the blog below for more information on eye health.
