Conjunctivitis is the common term given for any inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye.

Sometimes people refer to conjunctivitis as red eye.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include itchiness and watering of the eyes, and sometimes a sticky coating on the eyelashes (if it's caused by an allergy).

Conjunctivitis can affect one eye at first, but usually affects both eyes after a few hours.

 

What causes conjunctivitis?

 

The conjunctiva can become inflamed as result of:

• a bacterial or viral infection - this is known as infective conjunctivitis

• an allergic reaction to a substance such as pollen or dust mites - this is known as allergic conjunctivitis

• the eye coming into contact with substances that can irritate the conjunctiva, such as chlorinated water or shampoo, or a loose eyelash rubbing against the eye - this is known as irritant conjunctivitis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treating conjunctivitis

 

Conjunctivitis often doesn't require treatment as the symptoms usually clear up within a couple of weeks. If treatment is necessary, the type of treatment will depend on the cause. In severe cases, antibiotic eye drops can be used to clear the infection.

Irritant conjunctivitis will clear up as soon as whatever is causing it is removed.

Allergic conjunctivitis can usually be treated with anti-allergy medications such as antihistamines. If possible, avoid the substance that triggered the allergy.

It's best not to wear contact lenses until the symptoms have cleared up. Any sticky or crusty coating on the eyelids or lashes can be cleansed with Blephaclean.

 

Washing your hands regularly and avoiding sharing pillows or towels will help prevent it spreading.

See your optician immediately if you have:

• eye pain

• sensitivity to light (photophobia)

• disturbed vision

• intense redness in one or both of your eyes

• a newborn baby with conjunctivitis 

 

Work and school

 

Public Health England advises that you do not need to stay away from work or school if you or your child has conjunctivitis, unless you are feeling particularly unwell.

If there are a number of cases of conjunctivitis at one school or nursery, you may be advised to keep your child away from the school until their infection has cleared up.

Generally, adults who work in close contact with others, or share equipment such as phones and computers, should not return to work until the discharge has cleared up.

Complications

Conjunctivitis can be a frustrating condition - especially allergic conjunctivitis - but in most cases it doesn't pose a serious threat to health.

Complications of conjunctivitis are rare but when they do occur they can be serious and include:

• a severe case of allergic conjunctivitis can lead to scarring in the eye

• in cases of infective conjunctivitis, the infection can spread to other areas of the body, triggering more serious secondary infections such as meningitis (an infection of the outer layer of the brain).

 

Neo-natal conjunctivitis

A more severe type of conjunctivitis that can affect newborn babies younger than 28 days is called neo-natal conjunctivitis. Neo-natal conjunctivitis can occur if a baby is born to a mother who has a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea (these don't necessarily cause symptoms, so many mothers are unaware that they're infected).

 

Most cases of conjunctivitis in babies are not particularly serious. But there is a small possibility of serious complications if it's left untreated.

So if you notice any redness in your baby’s eyes, contact your GP for advice.