Conjunctivitis in adults: symptoms and treatment

Conjunctivitis is a pretty unpleasant disease.It is easy to diagnose in yourself, if there is a sensation of sand in your eyes, dryness, itching, and your eyes turn red. But conjunctivitis has different forms, which are characterized by their symptoms.And each form requires special treatment.In this article we will introduce you in detail to the types of conjunctivitis, by what signs it is possible to diagnose this inflammation, and how to treat it correctly.

What it is

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory disease of the eye mucosa.If the eye gets germs, bacteria, viruses, then there is a high probability of developing conjunctivitis.Conjunctivitis is accompanied by reddening and inflammation of the eyelids.

Manifestation of conjunctivitis

Forms of conjunctivitis:

1. Acute and chronic.
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   Acute conjunctivitis lasts from four days to one week, can be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Chronic occurs with prolonged exposure to pathogens. Complement chronic conjunctivitis of sinusitis, infection with worms, problems with digestion and so on.
2. Infectious(caused by bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, fungus) andnon-infectious(allergic reaction, inflammation, developing as a result of the action on the eye of any substances or external factors).

The most dangerous is conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia.

Causes

Conjunctivitis develops because the thin shell of the eye (conjunctiva) ceases to perform its basic protective function, which consists in the isolation of lacrimal secretions and protection of the eyes from viruses, bacteria and debris, and is inflamed.The main reasons for the development of conjunctivitis:

• Bacteria(a group of coccal bacteria, E. coli and so on).
• Viruses(herpes, adenovirus, measles and so on).
• Allergic pathogens(household chemicals, cosmetics, medications and so on).
• Fungi-parasites(actinomycetes, candida and so on).
• Mechanical effect on the eyes.

Based on the causes of the appearance of this disease, several forms of conjunctivitis have been identified:

1. Bacterial.
2. Viral.
3. Allergic.
4. Fungal.

Conjunctivitis of the viral and allergic nature can be infected by airborne droplets. Bacterial conjunctivitis is transmitted through people's contacts with each other.

It is easy to get infected with conjunctivitis if you have low immunity, poor eyesight, problems with the eyes, and also have chronic lacrimal gland diseases.It should be remembered that poor hand hygiene is the main way of infection with conjunctivitis.Therefore, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Symptoms

Conjunctivitis has common symptoms that are characteristic of all its forms.This includes: redness of eyelids and eyes, puffiness of the eyelids, abundant lacrimation and photophobia. Next, consider the symptoms of each of the forms of this disease.

Chronic

Symptoms of chronic conjunctivitis:

• Severe eyelids;
• Burning and tingling of the eyes;
• Sensation of sand in the eyes.

These symptoms are aggravated by the evening or when working with artificial lighting. In addition to them, redness of the conjunctiva, blurred vision, discharge is rare.The condition changes from normal to acute several times.

Viral

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis:

• A lot of tear fluid is allocated;
• Eyes are irritated;
• Redness.

Viral conjunctivitis is the result of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract.It can occur with colds, with sore throat.

This form is the most common, spreading rapidly among people. It can develop into an epidemic.

Adenovirus

Symptoms of adenoviral conjunctivitis:

• Coryza;
• Pain in the throat, cough;
• Headache;
• Feeling of general weakness;
• Chills;
• Heat;
• Inflammation of mucous eyes;
• Mucous discharge;
• Enlargement of lymph nodes.

Adenoviral conjunctivitis prevails in the spring and autumn. Transmitted by airborne droplets.

The incubation period of this form lasts up to eight days.At the initial stage, a runny nose and temperature may appear. Further adenoviral conjunctivitis in adults develops first on one eye, and then can move to another.

Adenoviral conjunctivitis has three forms:

1. Fitted.On the mucosa appear films of white or gray. If they are very tightly seated on the surface, then as a result, local bleeding may occur. It is necessary to be examined for the presence of diphtheria.
2. Catarrhal.There are small redness, inflammations are insignificant. In a light form, a maximum of a week.
3. Follicular.Small vesicles (follicles) appear on the mucous membrane of the eyes.

The consequence of adenoviral conjunctivitis is dry eyes. Treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis should be complex.

Herpetic

Symptoms of herpetic conjunctivitis:

• Redness of the eyelids;
• Abundant lacrimation;
• Edema of the eyelids;
• Bubbles appear on the eyelids.

Herpetic conjunctivitis occurs after the herpes virus enters the mucous membrane. It can be catarrhal and follicular.

Epidemic

Symptoms of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis:

• Headache;
• Weakness;
• Problems with sleep;
• Sensation of sand in the eyes;
• Allocations;
• Abundant flow of tears;
• Edema of the eyelids;
• Mucous blushes;
• Can form films;
• Enlargement of lymph nodes.
• Feeling of decreased vision.

This form of conjunctivitis is very contagious, it is transmitted through contacts. The incubation period is about a week.

After epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, life-long immunity is produced.

Allergic

Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis:

• Swelling, redness of the eyelids;
• Redness of the eyes;
• Itching and burning;
• Fear of light;
• Discharge of mucus or pus.

Chlamydia

Symptoms of chlamydial conjunctivitis

This form often occurs without any symptoms.First one eye is inflamed, after which the second eye can also become inflamed. There may be redness, unpronounced discharge of tears, photophobia is expressed slightly.After three or five days, the lymph nodes may become inflamed.

Diagnostics

To diagnose conjunctivitis, the ophthalmologist should only be able to examine the slit lamp. If the diagnosis is difficult, then an anamnesis may be required.It is necessary to find out what could have been the beginning of the development of conjunctivitis, how the symptoms and others manifested themselves.

The doctor can take a swab, seeding from the conjunctiva.This will help to more accurately identify the causes of inflammation.If there are any symptoms in other organs, then a blood test should be done, a fluroography, an X-ray and so on.

Treatment

Treatment of conjunctivitis can last a couple of weeks to completely eliminate symptoms and get rid of the disease.When the first signs of conjunctivitis appear, you should visit the ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the acute form of the disease can go to the chronic, and its cure is not so easy.Depending on the form of conjunctivitis, treatment is selected.

When treating a chronic form, the main thing is to determine what is an irritating factor.In addition to the characteristics of work, being in dusty and smoky rooms, this form of conjunctivitis can be a consequence of glaucoma, astigmatism and other diseases.

To get rid of chronic conjunctivitis it is recommended to make baths or lotions (sage, chamomile, boric acid solution, resorcinol and so on).

A specialist can prescribe eye drops from conjunctivitis that will moisturize the eyes. It should be remembered that chronic conjunctivitis requires long-term treatment.This means that from time to time you need to change medicines so that you do not get used to them.

Complications

As a result of infectious conjunctivitis, complications such as:

• Meningitis- infection of meninges.
• Sepsis- blood poisoning.
• Average otitis media- Ear infection.

The most common complication of conjunctivitis is keratitis.He is very dangerous, because as a result, you can go blind.Without proper treatment, infection and inflammation spread into the deep tissues of the eyes, which causes phlegmon and abscesses.

Prevention

The main rule of prevention is hand washing and hygiene of the whole body.

If one of the family members is a carrier of conjunctivitis, then he should use a separate towel, dishes and other hygiene items.

It should be remembered that avoid infection with conjunctivitis can be if:

1. Do not start eye and skin diseases, during their treatment.
2. Use only high-quality cosmetics and household chemicals.
3. Observe working conditions in the workplace.
4. Observe the rules of use and care of lenses.

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Conjunctivitis in young children is a frequent disease, so young mothers need to know how to deal with this ailment.

Read more here about how to correct strabismus in adults.

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conclusions

Conjunctivitis in adults is treated quite simply, provided a timely call to the doctor, especially this concerns pregnant women, because, depending on the form of the disease, complications can affect fruit.Only a specialist will choose the right treatment for a particular form of the disease. And in a few days the condition will improve. Compliance with preventive measures will avoid infection. This applies to many diseases, such as retinal detachment, optic nerve dystrophy, glaucoma and others.