Conjunctivitis is a common disease and treatments depending on which causes conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis or pink eye caused by inflammation of membrane covering white part of your eyes and the lining of inner surface of eyelids. The white part of the eye looks pinkish. It is not serious but quite irritating and uncomfortable.
There are many treatments depending on which causes conjunctivitis.
Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis
For conjunctivitis caused by bacteria, broad spectrum antibiotic drops or ointment are usual common remedies (eg. chloramphenicol or fusidic acid). Cotton wool soaked in cooled boiled water should also be used for cleaning the eyes and removing any crusts or stickiness.
Treatment for viral conjunctivitis
Cotton wool soaked in cooled boiled water can not removing crusts and stickness but a lubricant ointment such as Lacri-Lube can make your eyes more comfortable or such cold compresses on the eyes and tablets as paracetamol and ibuprofen can relieve the symptoms.
In case the conditions goes on for a prolonged time, corticosteroid drops are advocated under the strict supervision of a doctor specialising in eye disease.
As conjunctivitis is a highly contagious condition, it is recommended a strict code of hygiene such as hand and face washing and no sharing of face towels be adhered to. In addition, avoid close contact with other people for the first one to two weeks to help prevent spread of the infection.
Treatment for Chlamydia conjunctivitis
Chlorotetracycline ointment to both eyes and tetracycline tablets are used to treat Chlamydia conjunctivitis. Children are recommended to use erythromycin instead of tetracycline tablets. Chlamydia conjunctivitis may transmit through mucous membranes when having sex. In this case, the infection should be identified and both the patient and their partners must be treated.
Treatment for conjunctivitis caused by allergy
Firstly, what is triggering off the allergic response should be identified and from that remove this source of allergen.
Topical antihistamine drops are usually used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. Sodium cromoglicate drops can be used to prevent the allergic response and need to used for many weeks. However, corticosteroid drops should be used under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Treatment for infants with conjucntivitis
Infants with conjucntivitis need seening by an ophthalmologist. The treatment depends on the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis, based on results of the swabs from the laboratory.
Prevention
• Keep hands and face hygienic. Do not share face towels, especially with someone having conjunctivitis.
• Bath the eye with lukewarm salt water to remove pus and crust.
• Use disposable tissues when you dry the eyes and throw them away after use.
• Do not share eye make up or eye drops with another person.