Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a common condition that causes redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (the conjunctiva).
People often refer to conjunctivitis as Red eye .
Other symptoms of conjunctivitis include itchiness and watering of the eyes, and sometimes a sticky coating on the eyelashes (ifit's caused by anallergy).
Conjunctivitis can affect one eye at first, but usually affects both eyes after a few hours.
The conjunctiva can become inflamed as a result of:
Treatment isn't usually needed for conjunctivitis, because the symptoms often clear up within a couple of weeks. If treatment is needed, the type of treatment will depend on the cause. In severe cases, antibiotic eye drops can be used to clear the infection.
Irritant conjunctivitis will clear up as soon as whatever is causing it is removed.
Allergic conjunctivitis can usually be treated with anti-allergy medications such as antihistamines . If possible, you should avoid the substance that triggered the allergy.
It's best not to wear contact lenses until the symptoms have cleared up. Any sticky or crusty coating on the eyelids or lashes can be cleansed with cotton wool and water.
Washing your hands regularly and not sharing pillows or towels will help prevent it spreading.
.
See your GP immediately if you have:
Public Health England (PHE) advises that you don't need to stay away from work or school if you or your child has conjunctivitis, unless you (or they) arefeeling particularly unwell.
If there are a number of conjunctivitis cases at your child's school or nursery, you may be advised to keep them away until their infection has cleared up.
Generally, adults who work in close contact with others, or share equipment such as phones and computers, shouldn't return to work until the discharge has cleared up.
Conjunctivitis can be a frustrating condition particularly allergic conjunctivitis but in most cases it doesn't pose a serious threat to health.
Complications of conjunctivitis are rare, but when they do occur they can be serious and include:
.
Conjunctivitis is a common condition that causes redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (the conjunctiva).
Read about the symptoms of conjunctivitis. The two most common symptoms are eye redness and a discharge.
Find out what causes conjunctivitis. The three most common causes are infection, allergic reaction or eye irritation.
Find out how conjunctivitis is diagnosed. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms, examine your eyes and may recommend further tests, such as a swab test.
The recommended treatment for conjunctivitis will depend on whether it's caused by infection, an allergic reaction or an irritant, such as a stray eyelash.
Complications of conjunctivitis depend on whether the condition is an infection (infective conjunctivitis) or an allergic reaction (allergic conjunctivitis).