Description
This article is from the Vision and Eye
Care FAQ, by grants@research.canon.com.au (Grant Sayer) with
numerous contributions by others.
4.2 Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of a mucous membrane and therefore in most
types there is a red eye, thickening of the conjunctival tissue and some
discharge of mucous or mucous and inflammatory cells. The causes
of Conjunctivitis include; bacterial infection, viral infection and allergic
reactions.
Typical bacterial conjunctivitis, is caused by the common staphylococcus and
diplococcus pneumoniae to the less common organisms of the haemophilus group.
Infection is generally in both eyes with the patient experiencing
discomfort in the form of a "smarting" and grittiness, moderate photophobia,
but minimal pain. Discharge from the infection causes the well known symptoms
of eyelids stuck together on wakening or having a "crusty" appearance.
Bacterial conductivities responds well to antibiotic treatment.
Viral infections, sometimes caused by adenoviruses which are often involved
in upper respiratory tract infections, cause inflammation of the membrane
on the back of the eyelid.
Allergic conjunctivitis results from hypersensitivity to exogenous antigens.
There are many forms, with some examples being, profuse watering due to hay
fever, chronic inflammation as a result of a reaction to locally applied drugs.
The treatment is to remove the antigen and use of vasoconstrictors
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