CONJUNCTIVITIS
As I cruised through my list of articles that I have written over the last 4 ½ years I was rather shocked to see no title that contained "conjunctivitis". It is the most common condition known to mankind, but somehow it managed to escape my article list, until today. I'm quite sure you have all heard of this condition, and most of you have had personal experience with it. Conjunctivitis has been called many things but what you hear most is….THE PINK EYE!
"I heard little Jannie got 'THE PINK EYE'. "Oh, no, call 911, call the grandparents, gather up all her friends and send them home from school, and everyone put on the latex gloves!" Wait a minute……it isn't really that bad. It is true, though, that there is some overreaction to hearing pink eye. Most of it is unfounded, simply because there are many types of conjunctivitis that are NOT contagious, nor infectious. This is why the term "pink eye" should only be used for a specific, viral, infectious conjunctivitis known as EKC or epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. EKC can certainly "clear out" a classroom but the "epidemics" are not seen much today. (Maybe because we are cautious?)
There are several types of conjunctivitis with the most common being ALLERGIC. This is typically the seasonal flare-up that is found mostly during the Spring and Summer months. If you get the "itchy-burny-grittys", you have been bitten. There are also "sensitivity" reactions to such things as eye make-up, facial creams, fingernail polishes, contact lens solutions, and even jewelry. The reaction to these items are very similar to the true allergic response, i.e. redness, puffy lids, sticky clear discharge, and above all, itching. OTC medicines like Visine, Clear Eyes, and OP-Con A can give some relief of symptoms for mild allergies, but don't use them excessively. If you have a more persistent allergic conjunctivitis, consult your eye doctor for one of the many new prescription medications for allergy. This type of conjunctivitis is NOT contagious.
VIRAL conjunctivitis is probably the next most frequently found type. More common in children, it can be quite contagious and can also mimic the allergic type, except that viral almost always begins in ONE eye and then moves to the other eye in 3 days. The allergic type almost always begins in BOTH eyes at once. There is no real cure for viral conjunctivitis, but decongestant eye drops and lubricants can aid in comfort. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes, wash your hands frequently, and do not share washcloths and towels for awhile. The viral type can last from several days to several weeks, but any red eye that persists more than a couple days should be seen by your eye doctor.
TOXIC conjunctivitis is yet another type. Your eye will get red if you get soap in your eyes, or splash battery acid, superglue, or other irritant in your eyes. These will produce a red eye with pain (as many of you know) and a good eye wash or irrigating solution is in order.
BACTERIAL conjunctivitis is the last type that I will discuss. Beefy red eyes with pus is your best quick description. Causing some discomfort, but not painful, this type is also contagious and is caused by bacteria. It will usually begin in one eye and without treatment will most certainly move to the fellow eye within days. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotic eye drops so if your eyes are beefy red (as opposed to pink), you are cleaning GOO (highly technical term) from your eyes constantly, and you are awakening in the morning with STUCK lids, see your eye doc for some eye drops.