What is the best treatment for conjunctivitis?

Eyes are watery, in the morning it is impossible to open the eye due to sticky pus, the eyeballs have become red – These are all signs of conjunctivitis. Some experts believe that this is the most harmless disease among eye ailments, but one thing can be said: if conjunctivitis is not treated immediately after infection, some other diseases will not keep you waiting, which can lead to vision loss and even blindness. Why subject your body to such a test, as soon as the first symptoms of conjunctivitis appear, hurry to an appointment with an ophthalmologist for appropriate treatment.

What is conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is called inflammation of the conjunctiva – a thin film that protects the eye from microbes and other foreign bodies, prevents the liquid from the eyes from drying out quickly. The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the outside of the eye, as well as the back of the eyelids. This shell lubricates the eye with a thin layer of fat and moistens with liquid.

Types of conjunctivitis, symptoms and causes

Occurrence of eye disease – conjunctivitis is possible in several ways and leads to the development of various types of the disease. Symptoms of conjunctivitis depend on the pathogen and the route of infection.

Types, causes and symptoms of conjunctivitis

1. Allergic conjunctivitis depends on the presence of an allergen in the human body. It is an inflammation of the eyes, or rather the mucous membrane, which is accompanied by swelling of the eyelids, fear of light, redness and lacrimation. It proceeds in an acute form, it can also be accompanied by discharge from the nose. Causes are exogenous: pollen, cosmetics, medications; and endogenous: inflammatory processes in the body, such as internal organs.
2. Adenoviral conjunctivitis is an epidemic infection of the eye with an adenovirus. It can manifest itself together with SARS, accompanied by malaise, fever, swollen lymph nodes, discharge and eyes. This type of eye conjunctival disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, often sick children in kindergartens or schools, or adults working in public places.
3. Acute conjunctivitis occurs due to infection with pathogens such as streptococcus, pneumococcus, staphylococcus or gonococcus viruses, chlamydia, herpes. The virus can enter the body through dirty hands, things, objects. A beneficial effect on the spread of infection in the body has an overheating of the body or hypothermia, vitamin deficiency, the development of other infections. Also, acute conjunctivitis can develop with myopia or hyperopia, astigmatism, and microtrauma of the eye. The disease proceeds in an acute form with all the ensuing circumstances: lacrimation, discharge from the upper respiratory tract, body temperature rises, pus is released from the eyes, the conjunctiva becomes inflamed. Such symptoms require the treatment of conjunctivitis to be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician.
4. Blennorrheal conjunctivitis is typical for newborns. The child becomes infected when the – passes through the birth canal of the mother, who had the disease – gonorrhea.
5. Chronic conjunctivitis takes a long time and is characterized by irritation of the mucous membrane of the eye with allergies: dust, gas, or during the development of chronic diseases of the nasopharynx, lacrimal ducts. It also occurs when you are constantly in front of an irritant, a TV or computer monitor. Symptoms are less pronounced, there may be slight redness, scant discharge from the eyes, the presence of a foreign body in the eye, burning sensation.

 Treatment of conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is treated mainly locally, with – sulfanilamide preparations: 30% solution of albucid or solution of chloramphenicol 0.25%.  First of all, the dermatologist is given the following tasks: to remove the first symptoms of the disease, increase patient comfort, facilitate the course of the disease and prevent the spread of infection. If an allergic type of conjunctivitis has been diagnosed, then it is necessary to prevent the influence of the irritant and use antihistamines. If there is acute conjunctivitis, then it is necessary to use antibiotics and additional moisturizing of the mucous membrane of the eyes. Treatment of gonococcal conjunctivitis involves the use of systemic antibiotics. With the viral development of conjunctivitis, it is necessary to use antiviral ointments and eye drops. Also, to maintain the whole body, antiviral drugs are often prescribed in the form of suspensions or capsules. Also, the treatment of conjunctivitis must be accompanied by the intake of multivitamin complexes and a balanced diet.