Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis: short overview

• Common symptoms: red eyes, tearing and (morning) sticky eye, swollen conjunctiva, foreign body sensation

• treatment: Always see a doctor! Depending on the causes; Antibiotics (in case of bacterial conjunctivitis), eye drops with different active ingredients for symptom relief, also avoid allergens, remove foreign bodies, possibly use home remedies supportive
• Prevent infection: Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious! As an infected person, do not rub your eyes, wash your hands, use your own towel, avoid direct contact with other people
• causes: Bacteria, viruses, allergies, foreign bodies, dirty contact lenses, excessive exposure to light, eyestrain

Conjunctivitis: symptoms

The following symptoms are typical of conjunctivitis:

• red eyes

• watery, especially after the night purulent glued eye

• Swollen conjunctiva (conjunctiva looks glassy swollen), swollen eyelid

• Photophobia / light sensitivity

• Foreign body sensation or pressure in the eye

• convulsive eyelid closure (in severe inflammation with involvement of the cornea)

The various triggers of conjunctivitis, in addition to the general symptoms, cause further, characteristic of her symptoms.

Form of conjunctivitis	specific symptoms
Bacterial conjunctivitis	– strong mucus formation (yellowish, partly purulent accumulations in the corners of the eyes, in the morning eyes often sticky and burning) – Dome of defense cells (dome-like protrusions on the inside of the eyelids, it is accumulated cells of the immune system) – often both eyes affected (one rubs the germs unintentionally from one eye to the other)
Viral conjunctivitis	– physical complaints such as a virus-related underlying disease, such as flu, measles or chickenpox (pathogens attack the conjunctiva) – Foreign body sensation in the eye – watery or slimy tear secretions – swollen eyes – strong itching – usually occurs on both sides (the affected ones rub their eyes due to the itching)
Allergic conjunctivitis	– Conjunctiva swells in a typical, plaster-like pattern – Eyelids are thickened, can hang down easily – foreign body sensation (swollen conjunctiva) – sudden tears – strong itchy eyes – Allergiesymptome, such as sneezing, runny nose or itchy Hautquaddeln
Nonspecific conjunctivitis	– disturbing, rubbing sensation in the eye (due to foreign bodies such as dust, smoke or contact lenses) – watery eyes – If excessive light is the cause, photosensitivity, headache and pain in the eye occur

Conjunctivitis: treatment

The therapy depends on the causes of conjunctivitis. As with other diseases of the eye, a visit to the ophthalmologist is advisable. He can safely determine the type of inflammation, recommend the right treatment, and thus prevent other structures of the eye from being affected and lasting damage.

Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacteria can be combated with antibiotics. These are suitable antibiotic ointments or drops that are placed in the eye and thus act directly on the site of the infection. After two to three days, the symptoms should improve. Important: Even if you feel the inflammation has disappeared, be sure to follow the treatment as long as the doctor recommended. Otherwise, some bacteria remain, which then multiply again and cause conjunctivitis again.

Sometimes there is an additional one Antibiotic in tablet form administered. This is necessary, for example, when physical infections with bacteria have spread to the eyes. For example, Chlamydia, also known as the causative agent of sexually transmitted diseases, can also trigger conjunctivitis. In this case, the partner should also be treated. The therapy of conjunctivitis can be here protracted.

Treatment of viral conjunctivitis

Unlike the bacteria, there are no effective drugs against many viruses that can cause conjunctivitis. These include cold viruses or the highly contagious adenoviruses.

The symptoms can be with you home remedies alleviate, relieve. In case of bad complaints, you can temporarily corticosteroid eye drops deploy. In the long term, however, these are not suitable for therapy because they suppress the body’s defense and thus have the risk of delayed healing or additional infection with bacteria. They are then combined with antibiotic eye drops.

In children often develops after the first contact with the herpes simplex virus (the cold sore virus) or during chickenpox conjunctivitis. These viruses fight the drug acyclovir specific. The drug is available as eye drops or in the form of tablets.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis

In case of allergic conjunctivitis, the best general measures against the allergy help. Most important strategy thereby: If it is possible, you should be the triggering Avoid allergens.

Against the watery and swollen eyes you can in the short term cortisone-containing eye drops deploy. Also antiallergic eye drops or medication, which reduce the overactive immune defense, can alleviate the symptoms. Some products are already used before contact with the allergens, so that they can work.

The only way to fight the allergy is with a so-called Hyposensibilisierung, The body is slowly getting used to the disease-causing allergen.

Treatment of nonspecific conjunctivitis

Whether foreign bodies, contact lenses or sunlight are the causes of conjunctivitis – the therapy is always in the, the Trigger too remove or to avoid, Rinse foreign objects or corrosive substances as quickly as possible, rubbing contact lenses should be removed or avoid further sunlight.

The nonspecific conjunctivitis usually heals on its own within a few days.

stick dry eyes behind the complaints, help Artificial tears, They wet the eye and keep it moist. Eye drops with hyaluronic acid provide additional moisture because the substance binds water. Be careful not to use cortisone-containing eye drops as they increase the dryness of the eye.

Treat conjunctivitis with home remedies

Regardless of the triggers of conjunctivitis, you can help with home remedies. For example, cool compresses help against the swelling, like one Quark edition.

In addition, certain medicinal plants have an anti-inflammatory effect. This includes Eyebright and marigold.

Attention: Nevertheless, you should have the cause of your conjunctivitis clarified by a doctor. Bacterial or viral inflammation may require additional medication. This will prevent worse eye damage.

Read more about home remedies for conjunctivitis and how to use them: conjunctivitis – home remedies

Conjunctivitis: preventing infection

Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is very contagious. Patients rub their eyes because it itches and then bring the pathogens with their hands on doorknobs or pass on to fellow human beings. Use the following tips to reduce the risk of infection:

• Avoid rubbingIf the conjunctivitis has already affected one eye, the pathogens can be quickly transferred to the other eye. Try to resist the urge to rub.
• Wash your hands: Frequent, proper hand washing and disinfection of the hands reduce the germ count.
• Own towel: Use your own towel or even better disposable wipes, which you dispose of directly after use. To protect family members living in the same household.
• No shaking hands: Even if it looks unfriendly – do not shake hands if you have conjunctivitis. So you can effectively curb the transfer to others.

Conjunctivitis: causes and risk factors

The conjunctiva is permeated by numerous finest blood vessels and supplies so also the blood-poor cornea with nutrients. If irritated, the blood flow of the otherwise colorless conjunctiva increases and it reddens.

Irritation of various kinds can lead to conjunctivitis. Physicians distinguish between infectious, ie bacterial or virus-induced conjunctivitis and non-infectious, caused by allergies or mechanical stimuli. The former are very contagious. Here you should comply with the strictest hygiene measures and be treated in any case by a doctor.

Bacterial causes of conjunctivitis

• Staphylococci, pneumococci and streptococci: These pathogens are the most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children.

• Bacteria in cosmetics: In septic eye drops bottles, cosmetics or contact lens solutions, the germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa can grow. It leads to conjunctivitis, which spreads as fast as lightning, on the cornea and can have dramatic consequences.

• chlamydia: Chlamydia transmitted through sexual intercourse easily reaches the eye via the hands. In rare cases, people are also in the swimming pool with the pathogens. They cause conjunctivitis, referred to by physicians as inclusion body conjunctivitis. Especially in countries with poor hygienic conditions, this conjunctivitis can grow into a so-called trachoma, which spreads to the cornea and leads in the long term to blindness. Conjunctivitis by chlamydia is still the main cause of blindness in developing countries.

• Conjunctivitis in newborns: During birth, infected mothers can transmit bacteria such as gonococci or chlamydia to the newborn. The bacteria are pressed into the eyes of the baby in the narrow birth canal and after a few days cause severe conjunctivitis. On the other hand, newborns are usually treated preventively.

Viral causes of conjunctivitis

• adenoviruses: Subtypes 8 and 19 of the adenoviruses cause a highly contagious form of conjunctivitis. Initially, only one eye is affected, but after only a few days, the virus usually attacks the other eye as well. In addition, the lymph nodes on the face are swollen. The conjunctivitis is still contagious about two weeks after the second eye infestation. Here are thorough hygiene measures important!

• Herpes simplex: Particularly in the Erstinfsteckung of children with the herpes simplex virus, it can lead to conjunctivitis and small cold sores on the lid margin.

• Other viruses: Even with flu, measles, rubella and chickenpox there is always an irritation of the conjunctiva. In addition, enterovirus 70 and mollusc virus trigger conjunctivitis.

Other causes of infectious conjunctivitis

• fungal infections: They are very rarely cause of conjunctivitis.

• parasites: The simulatory fly transmits a parasite that triggers the so-called onchocerciasis. This form of conjunctivitis is the most common cause of blindness in tropical Africa. Also the eye worm, which can also cause an inflammation of the conjunctiva, occurs frequently in this area.

Causes of allergic conjunctivitis

In allergic conjunctivitis, there is a connection with the overreaction of the immune system against an actually harmless substance. The following allergies can also affect the conjunctiva:

• hay fever

• House dust mite allergy

• Animal dander

• Allergy to cosmetics

• atopic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis

Non-specific causes of conjunctivitis

• External stimuli: Dust, smoke or sand, but also dry air or UV light can irritate the conjunctiva.

• Dry eyes: Extensive work on the computer screen, hormonal changes during menopause, autoimmune diseases (Sjögren’s syndrome), contact lenses and other causes can limit the function of lacrimal glands. The consequence of the dry eye is a stronger friction and diminished defense. Conjunctivitis is often the result.

• insect stings: A rare but possible cause of persistent conjunctivitis is the penetration of insect spines or caterpillar hairs into the mucous membranes. These can persistently cling to the conjunctiva and thus penetrate deeper with each blink of the eye. In areas that are populated with the oak procession, for example, there is an increased risk.

• uncorrected visual disturbances: Corneal curvature, impaired vision or incorrectly adjusted glasses often lead to conjunctivitis.

• Malposition of the eyelids

• inwardly growing eyelashes

• overexertion: Overnight or strenuous eye work

• contact lenses: If they are too long in the eye or dirty

Conjunctivitis: examination and diagnosis

Bleeding, red eyes are in the care of the ophthalmologist. He investigates the cause of conjunctivitis and determines the appropriate treatment. In addition, the conjunctivitis can be contagious – here it is important to take the right measures to prevent infection of the other people.

In one personal conversation (Anamnesis) asks the ophthalmologist first for allergies, foreign bodies in the eye, injuries or the use of contact lenses. Often the reason for the red eyes can be limited.

Then the eyes are scrutinized very closely: By looking into the eyes with a lamp Doctors can recognize the first changes in the otherwise transparent and shiny conjunctiva. The redness of the eye also gives the doctor indications whether the inflammation originates from the conjunctiva or possibly the iris and the ciliary body are affected. If these deeper layers are affected, the eye appears bluish-reddish, especially on the edge of the iris. Since the vessels in the layer are under the conjunctiva, you can not move.

A careful Folding the eyelids can detect inflammation – they leave typical traces on the inside of the eyelids. Also foreign bodies are to be found like that. For the patients, this examination is rarely really uncomfortable.

Finally, the causative bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites can be based on a pathogens smear determine.

Conjunctivitis: risks

The conjunctiva is also considered the “lymph node of the eye” – so run many inflammations mild or are already nipped in the bud. However, conjunctivitis, especially in people with weak immune defense, can take persistent, severe forms. In the poorer regions of the world, these still often lead to blindness.

Additional information

Guideline:

German Ophthalmological Society: Guideline No. 12 – Bacterial conjunctivitis http://augeninfo.de/leit/leit12.pdf