Sore Eyes

Also known as conjunctivitis, sore eyes is manifested in redness and inflammation of the membranes
(conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes in the inner part of the eyelids. This
illness makes the eyes itch, tear up, swell, become red, and get painful.
Incubation period or time from exposure to onset of symptoms is usually 5-12 days.

Mode of transmission

• Direct contact with hands contaminated with eye secretions of an infected person
• Touching eyes with hands getting in contact with surfaces, instruments, eye solutions, or make ups-
contaminated with the virus from an infected person
• Entry of the virus/bacteria through the eyes by swimming in poorly chlorinated pools.

Types & Cause

• Virus (Adenovirus) - most common infectious

conjunctivitis
• Bacterial - most common in children
• Allergic
• Chemical/Trauma

Signs & Symptoms

• teary eyes
• redness of the eyes
• swelling of the eyelids
• itching or burning eyes
• eye discharge (watery if viral, pus-like if
bacterial)
• increased sensitivity to light
• swollen lymph nodes

Prevention & Control

• practice good hand hygiene (wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water)
• avoid sharing personal items (e.g. towels, eye drops, make-up, eye/sunglass) with others
• Minimize hand -to-eye contact
• Wear eye/sunglasses on windy days to protect one’s eyes from foreign particles.
• Avoid crowded places
• Disinfect with dilute bleach solution surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons, and handrails.
• Wash clothes, towels, pillow cases, and anything else which may have come in contact with an
infected person.
Treatment

The treatment of conjunctivitis depends on its underlying cause.

• Viral conjunctivitis improves only with time (an antibiotic won’t work).

Exception: in the rare case that the conjunctivitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus, your
opthamologist may prescribe an antiviral medication.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis improves dramatically with antibiotics.

• Allergic conjunctivitis improves by physically eliminating the allergen and with the administration of
antihistamine drops.

In all cases of conjunctivitis, supportive care with copious artificial tears and cold compress can
make the patient feel better. Most of the time, conjunctivitis symptoms resolve on their own within
a week.

First-Aid

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.

2. Boil some water and let it cool down. Use it to wet some gauze swabs.

• If you don't have gauze, you can use a clean non-fluffy cloth.

3. Use one gauze swab per eye. Gently wipe the eye from the inside outwards to clean it (from point
closest to the nose to the cheek).

4. Holding a clean cold flannel (or cold compress) on your eyes for a few minutes will help to relieve
irritation, any burning sensation, and allergies (for example, hay fever).

5. Do not share towels, face cloths, or pillow cases to prevent infectious conjunctivitis spreading.