Sore Eyes

Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis

Also known as conjunctivitis and pink eye, 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). The infection will usually
clear up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences. However, in
some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up.

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

• Bacterial conjunctivitis improves dramatically with antibiotics. It often improves in 2 to 5 days

without treatment but can take 2 weeks to go away completely.

• 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. For allergens ,use water to wash the substance from the eye for 5 minutes. Your eyes should begin
to improve within 4 hours. If your conjunctivitis was caused by acid or alkaline material such as
bleach, immediately rinse the eyes with lots of water and call your doctor right away.

3. For viral and bacterial cause, use clean water and wet some gauze swabs.

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

4. 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).

5. 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.

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

7. Nonprescription "artificial tears," a type of eye drops, may help ease itching and burning from the
irritating things that cause your pinkeye.

When to Seek Medical Care

You should see a healthcare provider if you have conjunctivitis along with any of the following:

• Pain in the eye(s)

• Sensitivity to light or blurred vision that does not improve when discharge is wiped from the eye(s)
intense redness in the eye(s)
• Symptoms that get worse or don’t improve, including pink eye thought to be caused by bacteria
which does not improve after 24 hours of antibiotic use
• A weakened immune system, for example from HIV infection, cancer treatment, or other medical
conditions or treatments
• Newborns with symptoms of conjunctivitis should be seen by a doctor right away.