Conjunctivitis is an infection in the eyes that manifests suddenly with redness, tearing, irritation and pain. There are even secretions that can become purulent in the eyes.
These inflammatory manifestations can be observed over a period of four to six days.
How is conjunctivitis transmitted?
Conjunctivitis is easily transmitted from one eye to another and by direct or indirect contact of an infected person with bacteria, which are found in eye secretions. It is also transmitted by means of droplets coming out through the respiratory tract.
A person sick with conjunctivitis can transmit the disease to another, up to four days after the first symptoms appear.
It is important to remember that after being in contact with the ocular secretions of an infected person, the symptoms begin
between 12 hours and up to 3 days later.
There are three types of conjunctivitis: infectious, allergic, and irritative.
Infectious conjunctivitis
It is classified as bacterial or viral conjunctivitis. Depending on the type of ocular secretion produced, the diagnosis can be oriented and, in this way, the treatment.
If the secretion is serous, it usually indicates a viral infection or an allergic reaction. The secretion is usually scarce and usually unilateral (only on one eye).
On the contrary, if the secretion is purulent it indicates that it is bacterial conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis
It is an inflammatory process of the external part of the eye that occurs when the conjunctiva reacts exaggeratedly in the presence of certain factors capable of triggering the allergic response.
It is characterized by a seasonal predominance. The secretion is usually scarce, serous or mucoid, and there is a great ocular, as well as nasal and pharyngeal itching.
Irritative conjunctivitis
In the case of irritative conjunctivitis, the redness is not caused by infection or trauma, but is linked to the presence of environmental irritants, swimming pools, gases or visual fatigue.
Treatment and preventive measures
The preventive measures are the following:
* Ocular rest.
* Avoid as much as possible the irritants that cause it. If it is due to the presence of volatile substances, the use of protective glasses is very convenient.
* Eye baths and instillation of artificial tears. It is convenient to use tears that include decongestants and antiseptics.
Ophthalmic baths with solutions already prepared for this purpose are very useful at home. These solutions are composed of natural substances from plant extracts that decongest the eye and relieve discomfort.
Use of eye drops
Eye drops are pharmaceutical preparations intended to be applied to the eyes. Because of the sensitivity of the place of application, they have to be sterile. For its use, it is necessary to take into account a series of precautions, since its contamination is very easy and could affect the eye in which it is administered.
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