Inflammation of the conjunctiva is accompanied by numerous unpleasant symptoms, ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to acute visual impairment. Nowadays, modern technology, medicine has learned to easily cope with this disease, the main thing is not to start the development of the disease and at the first sign to seek help from a specialist.
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is the medical term for a disease in which the upper transparent lining of the eye becomes seriously inflamed. Most patients are children. This is explained by weak immunity and numerous contact with the outside world. The areas of greatest infection of the child are circles, schools, kindergartens, any areas, in general, places of large crowds. Complications after conjunctivitis in children usually do not occur. Also, elderly people whose immunity is weakened due to age-related changes are strongly affected by this disease.
Varieties
Conjunctivitis is classified depending on the pathogen:
- Allergic. The main reason is the processes associated, for example, with pollen and dust mites. Symptoms are as follows: severe tearing, redness, and swelling of the conjunctiva. Complications of allergic conjunctivitis are rarely serious.
- Viral conjunctivitis. It is formed due to a decrease in immunity, as a result of which the number of white blood cells in the blood is reduced, which are able to fight the penetrated virus. Signs of the disease entering the body: increased lacrimation, the formation of purulent substance and irritation of the lining of the eye. Complications of viral conjunctivitis are the most dangerous and require separate therapy.
- Adenoviral conjunctivitis. The main villains here are harmful bodies that enter the body. The patient has all the common factors, often with temperature spikes.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis. This type of disease occurs due to the penetration of any objects into the mucous membrane, as well as infections of the tear duct. There is clumping of eyelashes and severe discomfort.
- Purulent conjunctivitis. The main factor of infection are bacteria of various etiologies. The patient has acidity of the eyes, itching and burning, purulent discharge.
How is conjunctivitis transmitted?
There are several ways to get an infection:
- When you swim in ponds, pools, or other places of large crowds.
- There are also known cases of medicine when girls became infected through poor-quality cosmetics, or after using it by a sick person.
- Also, with prolonged exposure to bright light, when the eye is very irritated.
- Seasonal viral diseases are also to blame, from which it is very difficult for a person to hide, because the virus can fly anywhere.
- Eye contamination with severe friction with unwashed hands, while the disease can develop not only in children but also in adults.
Factors leading to the disease
Among them:
- The penetration of infection into the body through the airborne droplets.
- Contact with an allergen of any etiology and its further finding.
- Irritation of the conjunctiva after the ingress of dirt, dust, which are in the shell of the eye for a long time.
- Direct exposure to sunlight on the visual organ.
- The influence of physical factors, such as injuries, the ingress of foreign objects, as well as hypothermia.
- Irrational use of contact lenses (wearing more than the declared period, poor lens flushing, improper donning, and poor manufacturing).
- Non-compliance with hygiene standards and rules.
- The reaction of the body to drugs (their rejection).
- Foreign objects and microtrauma getting into the membrane of the eye.
All diseases do not pass unnoticed for the body and usually lead to a number of complications, but it all depends on the speed of detection of the problem and the speed of contacting a specialist. Moreover, the consequences will also depend on the type of disease. So, for example, infectious requires a longer treatment and the use of an extended range of drugs.
Possible dangers of conjunctivitis in children
Children's diseases occur even more often than in adults. The first signs are frequent moods and increased tearfulness, as well as great lethargy of the child. Children are able to tolerate all types of this disease. Treatment of conjunctivitis in a child at home is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician.
Primary signs: swelling and tearing, a sharp appearance of a fear of light, the formation of a dried yellow crust and a small accumulation of pus. In addition, the child begins to eat less and sleep poorly.
As for adolescents, an increasing number of people are beginning to wear glasses due to a decline in vision after conjunctivitis, as well as a worsening of the eyelids, sharp pains and burning sensation. It is necessary to go through the doctor’s examination as soon as possible, because there are often cases of sharp visual impairment. The course of treatment should be carried out according to all the requirements of the doctor until complete recovery. Residual factors can develop into a chronic disease.
A rare cause of the onset of illness in children is chronic upper respiratory tract disease. If necessary, the patient should also be shown to other doctors for a complete examination and prescribing a course of treatment. Complications of conjunctivitis in children usually do not lead to serious consequences.
Possible dangers during pregnancy
At this time, conjunctivitis during pregnancy does not constitute any threat to the fetus. Doctors also claim that conjunctivitis caused by the virus does not pose any problems. But the probabilities always remain. Expectant mothers should immediately consult a doctor if they detect primary signs of the disease. It is also worth noting that the course of the disease does not affect breastfeeding. Complications of conjunctivitis are almost nullified.
It is worth talking about chlamydial infection, which is not so successful, both for the fetus and for the mother. Here, the main factor in the development of the conjunctiva becomes untreated chlamydia. This form of the disease contributes to changes in the body that lead to early childbirth and infection in the developing fetus.
In addition to the above, the presence of chlamydial flora contributes to the active susceptibility of the body to sexually transmitted diseases. In about half the cases, a newborn is diagnosed with conjunctivitis, and pneumonitis develops in 30 percent. But modern medicine does not stand still, therefore all risks are minimized, and other types of the disease do not pose a threat to newborns at all.
Possible dangers of conjunctivitis in adults
Due to medical progress, this disease is not particularly dangerous and usually the complications of conjunctivitis in adults are nullified. It only requires an emergency doctor's consultation, even with minimal symptoms. It is better to be safe again and be confident in your health. Untimely detection of a problem, an overdue call to a specialist and carrying out an incomplete course of therapy can still play a cruel joke and lead to serious trouble.
Complications after conjunctivitis:
- Blepharitis is a pathology in which inflammation of the edges of the eyelids occurs. The disease is quite serious and requires long-term therapy, but often does not lead to visual impairment. The main factor of occurrence is low immunity and the inability of the body to fight viruses.
- Keratitis is an ophthalmic disease that leads to inflammation of the cornea of the organs of vision. Reflex contraction of circular muscles, excessive secretion of lacrimal fluid, photophobia - all these are the primary symptoms of a complication. Possible consequences: decreased quality of vision, secondary glaucoma, inflammation of the tissues of the eyeball, blood sepsis.
- Dry eye syndrome is a common pathological condition in which there is insufficient moisture in the cornea of the eyes and the conjunctiva itself. May also lead to xerosis.
- Entropion is a condition in which the outer edge of the eyelid tucks inward (that is, the shape and direction change). This disease provokes many negative consequences in connection with a violation of the functions of the eye. Infectious ulcers, disruption of the lacrimal gland appear. The disease can be transmitted at the genetic level, or due to complications after the disease.
Conjunctivitis Treatment Methods
The basis of treatment is the elimination of possible causes and factors for the development of the disease. If after the examination it is revealed that the infection is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops. Usually the disease is treated for several days. Medicines prescribed by specialists: "Phloxal", "Levomizin".
Another thing is if the disease is caused by a virus. In this case, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs. It can be various ointments, drops for external use.
Allergic conjunctivitis is much easier to deal with. The doctor prescribes drugs familiar to everyone: "Zodak", "Suprastin."
Folk methods
- Rinse with a solution of dry aloe leaves, or squeezed juice diluted in boiled water at a ratio of 1:10.
- Freshly squeezed dill juice in the early stages of the disease can have an effect.
- Honey diluted in water in a ratio of 1:12 is rarely used as drops for external use.
- Rinsing with rosehip infusion can reduce purulent inflammation.
Conclusion
Following simple rules, you can easily avoid complications of the disease. Measures: hygiene, checking the eye and adjacent organs for irritation and changes, if you find primary symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Alternative treatment of conjunctivitis at home in both a child and adults can slightly relieve symptoms at an early stage, but in no way relieve you of the disease.