The inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the eyes is called conjunctivitis. Signs of the disease are redness, burning eyes, swelling of the eyelids, itching and lacrimation. This disease affects both children and adults. In most cases, washing with various solutions is enough to completely cure. However, it should be remembered that in some cases the disease can become chronic, so an ophthalmologist's consultation is necessary. This article will discuss the symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis in adults and children.
Types of conjunctivitis and their symptoms
They depend on the type of pathogen. The doctor makes the final diagnosis after examining the patient and the results of the analysis of the smear from the eyes.
The following types of conjunctivitis are known:
- Bacterial. Pathogens are provoking its development: staphylococci, streptococci, hemophilic bacillus and others. The pathogen enters the eyes during diseases of the upper respiratory tract or from the surface of the dermis. Signs of the disease: purulent discharge, which contribute to the bonding of eyelashes, swelling and redness of the eyelids.
- Allergic. The reason lies in the effect of allergens, which are different in nature: these are medicines, food, pollen, household chemicals and others. A variety of this type is reactive conjunctivitis, which develops under the influence of fumes, gases, smoke or chlorinated water in the pools. A characteristic symptom is severe itching, and the usual signs are also present: swelling, redness, lacrimation.
- Viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the provocateurs of the disease. They are the viruses of Coxsackie, herpes, enteroviruses, which penetrate the upper respiratory tract and the mucous membrane of the eyes. And also the disease develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infections. The most common inflammation caused by adenoviruses. The disease manifests by lacrimation, burning, eye redness, swelling. In addition, there are all the symptoms of SARS: general weakness, rhinitis, fever, enlarged lymph nodes.
Drug therapy
The use of ointments in the treatment of conjunctivitis of the eyes is as follows:
- Erythromycin. It is approved for use in children up to a year and pregnant women. It has an antimicrobial effect. It is well tolerated, but individual intolerance is possible. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor.
- Tetracycline. Used for bacterial conjunctivitis. It has an age restriction. Contraindicated in children under eight years of age, pregnant and lactating women. The duration of the course of treatment depends on the severity of the inflammation. During therapy, a decrease in sharpness of vision may be observed.
- Tobrex. The drug is indicated for the treatment of conjunctivitis in children at home. It is approved for use in babies up to a year, but only as directed by a doctor.
- Florenal. The course of treatment is from two weeks to two months. Used in the treatment of children and adults, including pregnant and lactating women. Individual intolerance to the components of the drug is a contraindication to use.
- "Acyclovir." This tool is recognized as one of the most effective in the treatment of viral conjunctivitis caused by the causative agent of herpes.
- Toradex. The effectiveness of the drug increases with the joint use of ointments and drops. It is undesirable to use for children under 12 years old, pregnant and lactating.
- The Cortineff. Assign with inflammation, which is accompanied by the release of pus. Long-term use provokes an increase in intraocular pressure, so you should adhere to the course of treatment recommended by the doctor.
- "Dex-gentamicin." Ointment has a wide spectrum of antibacterial action, and also has an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effect. Long-term use is not shown.
- Bonaphton. The medicine has proven itself in the treatment of viral conjunctivitis. After therapy, a short-term decrease in sharpness of vision is possible. Ointment is contraindicated until 18 years old, as well as pregnant and lactating women.
Causes and signs of acute conjunctivitis
The disease begins rapidly, the clinical picture is pronounced. Regardless of the reason that provoked the development of the pathology, the following symptoms are present:
- general malaise;
- tearing;
- headache;
- discomfort in the eye area at a source of bright light;
- redness of the eye proteins;
- swelling of the eyelids.
The development of the disease is influenced by both external and internal causes:
- hypothermia of the body;
- weak immunity;
- the presence of diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- exposure to allergic substances, gases, fumes, wind;
- various eye injuries.
Acute conjunctivitis: types and symptoms
Each variety has its own characteristics, according to which the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes the treatment of conjunctivitis. The following types are distinguished:
- Purulent. It is formed when infection or microorganisms enter the organs of vision. Signs of the disease appear in both eyes. The inflammatory process provokes the formation and secretion of pus, as a result, eyelash gluing occurs.
- Atopic. This kind of disease has seasonality. In summer and spring, it is allergic to ultraviolet rays, pollen and other factors. Tearing and redness of the mucous membrane are most pronounced.
- Bacterial. Pathogen precursors are pathogens. In an individual, an opaque liquid is released from the eyes of a light color, which promotes gluing of the eyelids, which is especially pronounced in the morning immediately after waking up. In order to open the eyes, they should be washed with tea solution or other means recommended by the doctor.
- Catarrhal. Photophobia appears as the first symptom in this type of ailment, then a thick, cloudy mucus forms in the organs of vision, which concentrates in the corners of the eyes.
- Infectious. Its development provokes pathogenic microflora (pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci) and various viruses. It manifests itself with acute, even cutting pain in the eyes, lacrimation and turbid, thick, mucus-like secretions, which are subsequently replaced by pus.
The signs of acute conjunctivitis in children and adults are identical. At the first symptoms, consult a doctor. If it is impossible to visit a doctor in the near future, you can drip a solution of sodium sulfacil in the form of eye drops in the eyes.
Therapy of acute conjunctivitis
Treatment of conjunctivitis in a child at home begins immediately after a diagnosis. It should be remembered that acute conjunctivitis is easily transmitted to another family member. If only one eye is affected, both are treated. In this case, different droppers are used to drip drops to prevent infection from entering a healthy organ. The selection of drug therapy depends on the type of pathogen. With a disease caused by an allergen, it is necessary to limit its contact with the sick person as soon as possible.
For treatment, hormonal and antispasmodic drugs are used. If the cause of the development of the disease was bacterial microflora, then they make samples and select the most sensitive antibiotic to it. Often use drugs with a wide spectrum of action in the form of ointments and drops. In addition, it is very important in the treatment of conjunctivitis in adults and children to observe personal hygiene. According to patients and doctors, the most prescribed and well-proven drugs are: Sulfacyl Sodium, Tobrex, Lecrolin, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone ointment. They are used to prevent conjunctivitis even in infants. In addition, traditional medicine was also shown to be effective.
Factors on which the duration of therapy depends
The duration of the conjunctivitis treatment process is influenced by:
- initiation of therapy;
- the reason that gave impetus to the development of the disease: mucosal burn, general hypothermia, colds, vitamin deficiency, herpes or other infection;
- acute or chronic form of conjunctivitis;
- type of pathogen: allergic, bacterial, viral nature or a combination of several types;
- the severity of the course of the disease, which is due to the accompanying pathologies that the individual has;
- the nature of the changes in the mucous membrane of the eye: filmy, purulent, papillary, follicular or catarrhal.
The period of treatment of conjunctivitis in adults and children will also depend on all of the above factors. Untimely access to a doctor provokes the transition of the acute form of the disease into a chronic one, as well as the presence of some serious chronic pathologies, for example, diabetes mellitus, significantly delaying the healing process.
Therapy of bacterial conjunctivitis
Often a provocateur of the disease is epidermal staphylococcus. The main signs are purulent discharge. For washing the eyes, it is recommended to use antiseptic solutions or use a weak brewing of black or green tea. Antibiotics are prescribed only by a doctor and strictly for medical reasons. The following factors affect the duration of treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis:
- the presence in the patient’s history of chronic pathologies;
- a drug prescribed by a doctor, i.e. selected drug therapy, depending on the sensitivity of the bacteria to the antibiotic;
- type of pathogen.
A disease caused by bacterial gonococcus is considered the most dangerous. Treatment of patients is carried out only in stationary conditions. The duration of therapy will depend on the degree of damage to the organs of vision and the timeliness of the treatment started. Chlamydia eye damage also leads to severe and insidious pathology. Both children and adults can become infected. The incubation period is from one to two weeks. The duration of treatment takes about 14 days. Antibacterial eye drops and ointments are prescribed, the latter are laid after a thorough cleansing of the eye from the purulent discharge.
Viral conjunctivitis: symptoms and treatment
The inflammatory process of the eyes, which was caused by a viral infection, may well go away on its own. The disease manifests by lacrimation, redness, swelling. Weakness is observed, possibly an increase in temperature and an increase in lymph nodes. This type includes adenoviral or colds conjunctivitis. They are easily transported by both adults and children. However, in case of complication or the addition of herpes infection, the treatment of conjunctivitis is delayed up to three weeks. Patients are prescribed medications that enhance immunity, antiseptics for washing the eyes, as well as antiviral agents in the form of drops and eye ointments: Acyclovir, Trifluridin, Poludan, Tebrofen, Aktipol, Florenal. Often people do not attach importance to this disease and leave it without proper therapy. However, it is conjunctivitis of a viral nature that contributes to the development of such a serious disease as keratitis, which subsequently leads to blindness. Therefore, one should not wait for serious complications, but in a timely manner consult a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct therapy.
Therapy of fungal conjunctivitis
In recent years, this type of conjunctivitis is quite widely diagnosed. The reason for this phenomenon is a violation of hygiene rules when wearing contact lenses, uncontrolled intake of hormonal and antibacterial agents. The treatment of conjunctivitis caused by fungi is very long, since the inflammatory process itself develops slowly. And therapy is prescribed when the disease has already turned into a chronic form. More than 60 different types of fungi are known that provoke this ailment. When prescribing a drug, it is important to determine the type of pathogen. This procedure is carried out in the laboratory of a medical institution. Next, the doctor prescribes medications that are detrimental to a particular fungus. After a course of treatment, a second laboratory analysis is prescribed, according to the results of which recovery is recorded or a decision is made to continue therapy.
Therapy of allergic conjunctivitis
When identifying the cause (allergen) that triggered the disease, its elimination leads to the disappearance of symptoms. However, this does not mean that the disease is defeated. Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis takes a fairly long period. In this type of inflammation, remission is replaced by exacerbations, which can be different in time. Doctors recommend not only eliminating allergic components, but also following preventive measures in daily care: rinse eyes with antiseptic solutions. To relieve severe itching, drugs containing hormonal substances are prescribed. When using them, you should adhere to a short course of use in order to avoid the development of side effects. To moisturize the eyes, “tear” drops are recommended. This type of conjunctivitis is not transmitted to another person, that is, it is not contagious.
Conjunctivitis: adult eye treatment
Regardless of the reason that triggered the pathology, therapy begins with washing the organs of vision. For these purposes, use:
- Antiseptic solutions of factory or pharmacy manufacture.
- "Artificial tear." The composition of the drug is salts, polysaccharides and organic polymers dissolved in water. In their biochemical characteristics and acid-base composition, artificial tears are similar to the natural fluid of the lacrimal glands. There are several varieties of the drug that differ in polymer content.
- Traditional medicine (decoctions of herbs, tea solution).
Therapy of viral conjunctivitis is carried out with interferon preparations:
- Poludan promotes the production of immunoactive substances, in particular interferons. Course treatment from three to five days.
- "Actipol" normalizes electrolyte balance, enhances the restoration of the mucous membrane of the eye. The para-aminobenzoic acid, which is part of the drug, is a powerful stimulant for the synthesis of interferon. By the mechanism of action, this drug can be compared with the previous one.
- Ophthalmoferon is a medicine containing an antiallergic and antiviral agent. According to experts, as a result of its use, the development of the pathological process stops much faster than when using other medicines. Course treatment on average is two weeks, and in the chronic form of the disease about a month.
For the treatment of purulent conjunctivitis with copious discharge from the eyes, antibiotics are prescribed in the dosage form of eye drops: Ciprofloxacin or Levofloxacin. These drugs have a detrimental effect on a wide range of microorganisms. The course of treatment depends on the pathological process. If just bacterial conjunctivitis is diagnosed, then antimicrobial agents are not indicated. In these cases, washing and antiseptics are recommended, for example, “Sulfacyl sodium”.
Alternative therapy
The treatment of conjunctivitis at home with alternative methods is aimed at cleansing the eyes and relieving swelling.
Lotions from infusion of chamomile flowers or dill juice perfectly relieve redness and inflammation.
For washing the eyes, you can use ordinary tea, which is allowed to be used even by infants up to a year.
Infusion of dill seeds treat purulent conjunctivitis. Lotions are applied to the eyes several times a day.
A decoction of rosehip berries is washed in the eyes with adenoviral conjunctivitis at least four times a day.
Helps to cope with the disease and a compress of egg white with raw potatoes, grated on a fine grater.
Kalanchoe juice lubricate the eyelids until complete recovery.
Lotions of cucumber juice with the addition of baking soda help to cope with swelling.
Infusion of bay leaves washed the eyes of children, and adults are better to make lotions.
Kombucha infusion relieves inflammation. Use it in the form of lotions.
The recipes listed above will give a good result at the initial stage of the disease. If the disease is started, then medicines prescribed by the doctor should be used and not self-medicating.
Prediction and prevention of conjunctivitis in adults and children
With proper treatment of conjunctivitis (photo below), the prognosis is favorable. The transition of the disease into a chronic form is associated with the absence or improper therapy. Of the serious complications that may arise, keratitis, as a result of which the cornea becomes cloudy, vision is significantly reduced, ulcers form on the eyelids, which are quite difficult to heal.
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