Conjunctivitis (also known as red eye) is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva (the transparent membrane over your eyeball).

Symptoms

• Red eyes (may be worse on waking up)
• Watery or sticky discharge especially in the mornings
• Discomfort or gritty feeling (rarely pain unlike corneal ulcers
• Itchy eyes
• Swollen eyelids

Click to view Dr Saurabh video on Conjunctivitis

Causes

• Infection (such as viral or bacterial infection)
• Allergy (usually to dust mites, dust, pollen or animal fur)
• Inflammation (reaction to chemical, smoke, soaps or shampoo)
• Corneal erosion or dry eyes (due to contact lens overwear, auto-immune disease or corneal exposure during sleep)

Treatment

Topical eye medication (and sometimes oral medication may be required is the infection is more severe) will be required for around 7-10 days.  You may be asked to apply the medication to both eyes (to prevent spread to the other eye).  Please complete the course of medication because stopping early may result in the infection recurring.

Prevention Do’s and Don’t’s

Do change your towel and pillow cases AFTER you have recovered

Do beat and sun your pillows regularly to eradicate dust mites

Do wash your hands with soap & water before AND after you apply your eye medication

Do NOT touch your eyes

Do NOT share towels or pillows with your family members while you have the eye infection

Do NOT wipe with a handkerchief or towel.  Use tissues and dispose immediately after use

Do NOT use contact lenses for at least 2 weeks after your have fully recovered.  Discard your old lenses and clean the contact lens case before opening a new pair contact lenses

If you have any symptoms of red eye, you should see your eye doctor asap to get treated and prevent spread to other family members

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