Conjunctivitis is one of the most common diseases of the eye. If you have red, sticky, watery eyes and burning eyes, the most likely diagnosis is conjunctivitis. Babies and children in particular often suffer from these symptoms, but adults are also affected. In technical language, conjunctivitis is called conjunctivitis. Common causes of pathogen-induced conjunctivitis are viruses or bacteria. However, numerous other causes such as dry eyes, allergies or dust can also trigger an inflammation of the conjunctiva. How to recognize conjunctivitis as well as tips on diagnosis and treatment of conjunctivitis can be read in the following article.
Function of the conjunctiva
The conjunctiva is a protective layer of mucous membrane that extends over the inner edge of the eyelids and over the eyeball, which is visible to the outside. It plays a role in the distribution of the tear film and in defense against pathogens. In conjunctivitis, the otherwise transparent layer reddens as the body tries to fight the inflammation by increasing blood flow. Recognize eye diseases: These pictures will help!
Always take conjunctivitis seriously
In most cases, conjunctivitis is relatively harmless and subsides on its own after a period of 10 to 14 days. Nevertheless, there are diseases whose symptoms are very similar to those of conjunctivitis and which can be quite dangerous for the eye and vision. It is very important, for example, to rule out acute glaucoma or inflammation of the deeper layers of the eye, such as the iris or cornea. Particularly in contact lens wearers, there is a risk that conjunctivitis may also spread to the cornea. Therefore, a supposed conjunctivitis should always be taken seriously and clarified by a doctor. A simple treatment with home remedies is therefore not recommended.
Symptoms of conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis can be recognized by the following signs:
- The leading symptom of conjunctivitis is a red, watery eye.
- Sufferers feel a burning or itching sensation in the eyes, as if there were foreign bodies or sand in the eye.
- Especially in the morning hours, the eyelids are often swollen and stuck together and there is secreted secretion in the corners of the eyes. This secretion can be purulent, watery or even mucous.
- The eyes can also be sensitive to light and otherwise well tolerated light sources dazzle the affected person strongly.
- With an accompanying corneal inflammation can also be severe pain.
Various causes of conjunctivitis
There are many different causes of conjunctivitis. It can:
- Be caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses or other germs).
- Occur in the context of an allergy or
- Simply be due to environmental substances, dry eyes or contact lenses.
Depending on the cause, the symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis differ – so a doctor should always be consulted if conjunctivitis is suspected.
Pathogens as the cause: infectious conjunctivitis.
If conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria or viruses or other germs – that is, infectious – it can be highly contagious. Because the eyes burn and itch intensely, sufferers rub their eyes and can spread the germs and infect others. Therefore, special hygiene is necessary for infectious conjunctivitis. Family members should always ensure thorough hand cleaning and use a different towel than the affected person to reduce the risk of infection. Bacteria or viruses are usually the triggers of infectious conjunctivitis. Fungi or parasites are rarely the cause of conjunctivitis.
Bacteria as a cause
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is less common in adults; this usually affects children more. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually begins in only one eye and is characterized by a purulent, yellowish-green secretion. However, the inflammation can also affect both eyes. The affected eye is often sticky in the morning hours and the eyelids are thickened. A special and more dangerous form of bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoae). The symptoms are particularly pronounced here.Severely suppurated eyes, a swollen conjunctiva and swollen lymph nodes behind the ears characterize this form of conjunctivitis. Since these bacteria are often associated with infections in the genital tract, sexually active couples are increasingly affected. In common parlance, gonococcal infection is also known as gonorrhea. Occasionally, adult sufferers can become infected with chlamydia. Like gonococci, these bacteria are found preferentially in the genital tract of young adults. If the pathogens enter the conjunctiva in the swimming pool, this is known as swimming pool conjunctivitis. Children are also frequently affected by this. In adults, conjunctivitis with Chlamydia trachomatis is often chronic because, like infection in the genital tract, it often goes unnoticed.
Viruses as triggers of conjunctivitis
Among infectious conjunctivitis, the form caused by viruses is the most common. Usually, viral conjunctivitis heals without consequences without treatment. However, a cold with so-called adenoviruses can lead to conjunctivitis. In most cases, those affected complain of typical cold symptoms such as fever, sore throat and thickened lymph nodes in the neck, onto which the conjunctivitis is then grafted. In this form, the cornea is often also affected and the sharp vision of the affected person is impaired. This is called keratoconjunctivitis. In this case, an ophthalmologist should be consulted. Viral conjunctivitis is particularly contagious because symptoms usually do not appear until a few days after infection, but the affected person is already contagious for that long. Even shaking hands, talking or coughing can transmit the infection. Therefore, children are particularly at risk of contracting keratoconjunctivitis. Herpes viruses can also cause conjunctivitis. These viruses can be very dangerous for the eye and vision. In most cases, viral conjunctivitis affects the second eye within one to two days due to the high risk of infection. As with bacterial inflammation, the eyes are often sticky in the morning. The sticky secretion in viral inflammation is usually watery and mucous, in contrast to the yellowish pus secreted in bacterial conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis caused by allergy.
In spring, many people suffer from hay fever, in which the eyes itch and the nose runs due to an allergy to grass or pollen. Then one speaks in the technical language of a Rhinokonjunktivitis. In the allergic form of conjunctivitis, the eye usually tears with a clear fluid without pus. Allergic conjunctivitis has very similar symptoms to viral conjunctivitis. A distinctive feature may be cobblestone-like protrusions of the conjunctiva, which are particularly evident under the eyelids.
Nonallergic and noninfectious forms.
Often, eyes that are just too dry can also cause irritation of the conjunctiva and thus inflammation. For example, infrequent blinking while working at a computer causes the eyes to be insufficiently moistened with tears and become inflamed. Then it is necessary to stimulate tear production and distribution on the eye and to keep the eyes moist with eye drops. The symptoms are then quickly alleviated. Drafts, such as those caused by air conditioning or the wind from driving, can also trigger dry eyes and thus promote conjunctivitis. Environmental substances such as dust, smoke (for example, cigarette smoke) or the chlorine in the swimming pool can also be an irritant to the conjunctiva and conjunctivitis develops. If a foreign body has become trapped in the eye, it may still itch even after ophthalmological removal and give the affected person a feeling as if the foreign body were still in the eye. In this case, the affected person is usually mistaken and it is a mild inflammation of the conjunctiva of only short duration. These non-allergic and non-infectious forms of conjunctivitis usually improve within 24 hours. In the case of recurrent conjunctivitis, an unrecognized or insufficiently corrected defective vision should be considered as a trigger – sometimes glasses can then already provide relief.
Conjunctivitis caused by contact lenses
Contact lens wearers have an increased risk of developing conjunctivitis, since dirt or the lens itself can cause mechanical friction.In addition, dirt and bacteria can accumulate under the contact lens, which then trigger conjunctivitis. Another symptom can be an injury or even a hole in the conjunctiva. Therefore, careful lens cleaning and hygiene is especially important for contact lens wearers. At the first sign of conjunctivitis, contact lenses should be removed immediately and should not be used until symptoms have completely resolved.
