Conjunctivitis: What is it, its symptoms, what causes it and how to cure it.

The white part of the eyes, called sclera, and the transparent tissue that covers the inner surface of the eyelids are called conjunctiva. Infections that may occur in the conjunctiva layer for various reasons are called conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, one of the most common eye diseases in both children and adults, is also commonly called red or pink eye disease. Blood bleeding inside the eye caused by infection is the reason why the eyes turn pink or red. Untreated conjunctivitis can become severe and cause permanent damage to the eye. Therefore, if there are problems such as redness or itching in the eyes, you should consult an ophthalmologist and undergo an examination.

The white part of the eyes, called sclera, and the transparent tissue that covers the inner surface of the eyelids are called conjunctiva. Infections that may occur in the conjunctiva layer for various reasons are called conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, one of the most common eye diseases in both children and adults, is also commonly called red or pink eye disease. Blood bleeding inside the eye caused by infection is the reason why the eyes turn pink or red. Untreated conjunctivitis can become severe and cause permanent damage to the eye. Therefore, if there are problems such as redness or itching in the eyes, you should consult an ophthalmologist and undergo an examination.

What is Conjunctivitis?

Inflammation of the sclera (white of the eye) part of the eye and the conjunctiva layer covering the inner part of the eyelid is called conjunctivitis. Capillaries normally located within the conjunctiva become prominent and easily visible in case of conjunctivitis. For this reason, redness or pinkness appears in the white part of the eyes and inside the eyelids. The most common causes of conjunctivitis are bacterial or viral infections and allergic reactions. Blockage of the tear duct or the fact that it has not yet opened fully in babies may also cause conjunctivitis. Although it may cause discomfort such as eye sensitivity, itching and burning, conjunctivitis does not usually cause any problems with vision unless it progresses too much. However, if left untreated, it can become severe and cause more serious problems. Conjunctivitis, which affects both eyes or one eye, is also contagious if caused by infection.

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye or red eye disease, is a disease whose most prominent symptom is eye redness. This redness may be present in one or both eyes. In allergic conjunctivitis, both eyes are usually affected. In conjunctivitis caused by infectious agents, the infection that starts in one eye may be limited to that eye or may spread to the other eye over time. The possibility of contamination decreases if hygiene is observed and if the treatment is started after being examined. The following symptoms in the eyes may indicate conjunctivitis:

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Itching or burning sensation in the eye
• Developing sensitivity of the eye to light or blinking movement
• swelling of the eyelids
• A gritty or gritty feeling in the eyes
• Discharge that accumulates during the night and hardens in the morning, causing difficulty in opening the eye
• Excessive burrs in the eyes caused by the discharge in question

What are the symptoms that occur with conjunctivitis?

In some cases, especially in people with eye allergy problems, redness and eye itching may be simple reactions that heal in a short time. The majority of patients who have previously received such a diagnosis are prescribed anti-allergy eye drops. If there is no improvement in the symptoms with the use of these, it is likely that the problem is caused by infection. However, there are also different and more serious eye diseases that can cause pain, tenderness or a stinging feeling in the eyes. An example of this is trauma to the eyes caused by external factors. Some of the symptoms that require immediate medical attention and immediate medical attention are as follows:

• Stinging and painful sensations resembling a foreign object in the eye
• Yellow or greenish eye discharge
• Severe pain in the eyes
• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Difficulty looking at light

What Causes Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, which occurs with inflammation of the conjunctiva layer, may be caused by many different reasons. Essentially, eye redness occurs when the blood vessels on the layer become inflamed, thus widening and becoming more visible. Possible reasons for this situation are:

• Infections caused by bacteria and viruses
• Eye allergies (conjunctivitis) to any agent such as pollen, dust, mold, etc.
• Irritations caused by any chemical substance that gets into or splashes into the eyes
• In newborn babies, the tear duct is not yet fully opened
• Irritation caused by a foreign object getting into the eye
• Stenosis and blockages in the tear duct
• Use of contact lenses, use of lens solutions with inappropriate content or exceeding the recommended wearing time of contact lenses
• Infections of the upper respiratory tract
• Exposure to cigarette smoke, polluted air or wind
• Use of unhygienic pools
• Touching eyes with dirty hands

How to Diagnose Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis in infants, children or adults can be easily diagnosed as a result of an eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist. The cause of conjunctivitis can be determined by taking into account the symptoms and health history of the patient. Some tests that may be recommended are an allergy test or an acuity test to investigate whether there is vision loss due to conjunctivitis. If an infection-related condition is suspected, a sample of eye secretion can be taken with a cotton swab and sent for examination to determine the exact type of bacteria or virus causing inflammation. Apart from these, it is possible, although rare, for different diagnostic tests to be requested by the physician. Treatment for conjunctivitis is started in the light of the findings obtained from examination and tests.

Conjunctivitis Treatment

The way to treat conjunctivitis depends on the factor that causes the disease. If there is a bacterial infection, treatment is usually carried out with antibiotic-containing drops or eye ointments. Similarly, eye drops and ointments containing antivirals are used for viral infections. In addition, it is also beneficial to use artificial tear drops. With treatment, bacterial infections are expected to heal in a week, and viral infections in less than two weeks. If there is no improvement after this period, you should consult a doctor again. In cases of conjunctivitis due to allergic causes, the use of decongestant or steroid-containing eye drops is generally recommended. Regular use of these helps eliminate eye reactions and improves conjunctivitis. However, short-term cold compress applications may be preferred. The patient’s efforts to stay away from allergenic substances also accelerates healing. Although rare, some sexually transmitted diseases can cause conjunctivitis as a result of genital fluids being transmitted to the hands and from there to the eyes. In this case, treatment can be carried out with the help of antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

How to Prevent Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is a disease that can be easily transmitted from person to person or from one eye to another. In addition, an infection can easily develop in the conjunctiva by not paying attention to hand hygiene, touching the eyes with dirty hands, rubbing or scratching the eyes. Healed conjunctivitis may recur if care is not taken. Frequent recurrence of these infections may cause permanent damage to the eye. Therefore, various precautions should be taken to prevent conjunctivitis. Precautions that can be taken to protect against conjunctivitis include:

• Washing hands frequently during the day and never touching eyes with unclean hands
• Do not insert or remove contact lenses with dirty hands, and use contact lenses and lens solutions by paying attention to the conditions of use, duration and hygiene rules.
• Removing contact lenses during bathing and showering
• Using swimming goggles when entering swimming pools
• Avoid sharing items such as towels, make-up or eye cream with others
• Regularly disinfect items that come into constant contact with hands, such as mobile phones, keyboards and mice.
• Covering the mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing, and then not touching the eyes without washing the hands
• People with allergic eyes should stay away from agents known to be a source of allergy and avoid the use of make-up materials of unknown content that cause allergies.

If you experience problems such as itching, redness or discharge in your eyes, it is recommended that you consult an ophthalmologist and undergo an examination. If you are diagnosed with conjunctivitis or a different eye disease, you can protect your eye health with treatment.