Inflammation of the conjunctiva is accompanied by numerous unpleasant symptoms, ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to acute visual impairment. In our time of modern technology, medicine has learned to easily cope with this disease, the main thing is not to start the development of the disease and, at the first sign, seek help from a specialist.
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is the medical term for a disease in which the upper transparent membrane of the eye becomes seriously inflamed. Most of the patients are children. This is explained by weak immunity and numerous contact with the outside world. The area of the greatest infection of the child are circles, school, kindergarten, any sites, in general, places of large crowds of people. Complications after conjunctivitis in children usually do not appear. Elderly people, whose immunity is weakened due to age-related changes, are also severely affected by this disease.
Varieties
Conjunctivitis is classifieddepending on pathogen:
- Allergic. The main cause is the processes associated, for example, with pollen and dust mites. Symptoms are as follows: severe tearing, redness and swelling of the conjunctiva. Complications of allergic conjunctivitis are rarely serious.
- Viral conjunctivitis. It is formed due to a decrease in immunity, as a result of which the number of leukocytes in the blood that can fight the invading virus decreases. Signs of the disease entering the body: increased tearing, the formation of a purulent substance and irritation of the eye membrane. Complications of viral conjunctivitis are the most dangerous and require separate therapy.
- Adenoviral conjunctivitis. The main villains here are the harmful bodies that have entered the body. The patient has all the common factors, often with temperature fluctuations.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis. This type of disease occurs due to the penetration of any objects into the mucous membrane, as well as infections of the tear duct. There is sticking of eyelashes and severe discomfort.
- Purulent conjunctivitis. The main factor of infection are bacteria of different etiologies. The patient has acidity of the eyes, itching and burning, purulent discharge.
How is conjunctivitis transmitted?
There are several ways to get infected:
- When you swim in ponds, pools, orother crowded places.
- Medicine is also aware of cases when girls became infected through low-quality cosmetics, or after using it by a sick person.
- Also when exposed to strong light for a long time, when the eye is very irritated.
- Seasonal viral diseases are also to blame, from which it is very difficult for a person to hide, because the virus can fly anywhere.
- Pollution of the eyes from strong friction with unwashed hands, while the disease can develop not only in children, but also in adults.
Factors leading to disease
Among them:
- The penetration of infection into the body through airborne droplets.
- Contact with an allergen of any etiology and its further detection.
- Irritation of the conjunctiva after contact with dirt, dust, which are in the shell of the eye for a long time.
- Direct exposure to sunlight on the visual organ.
- Influence of physical factors such as trauma, foreign objects, and hypothermia.
- Irrational use of contact lenses (wearing more than the stated period, poor lens washing, improper donning, and poor manufacturing).
- Failure to comply with hygiene standards and rules.
- The reaction of the body to drugs (rejection).
- Ingress of foreign objects into the shell of the eye and microtrauma.
All diseases do not pass without a trace for the body and usually lead to a number of complications, but it all depends on the speedproblem detection and speed of contacting a specialist. In this case, the consequences will also depend on the type of disease. So, for example, an infectious disease requires longer therapy and the use of an expanded range of drugs.
Possible dangers of conjunctivitis in children
Children's diseases occur even more often than in adults. The first signs are frequent whims and increased tearfulness, as well as great lethargy of the child. Children are able to tolerate all types of this disease. Treatment of conjunctivitis in a child at home is done under the supervision of a pediatrician.
Primary signs: swelling and tearing, a sudden appearance of fear of light, the formation of a dried yellow crust and a slight accumulation of pus. In addition, the child begins to eat less and sleep poorly.
As for teenagers, more and more people are starting to wear glasses due to the decline in vision after conjunctivitis, as well as weighting of the eyelids, sharp pains and burning. It should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible, because cases of a sharp deterioration in vision are not uncommon. The course of treatment should be carried out according to all the requirements of the doctor until complete recovery. Residual factors can develop into a chronic disease.
Chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract are a rare cause of illness in children. The patient should also, if necessary, be shown to other doctors for a complete examination and appointment of a course of treatment. Complications of conjunctivitis in children usually do not lead to serious consequences.
Possible dangersduring pregnancy
At this point in time, conjunctivitis during pregnancy does not pose any threat to the fetus. Doctors also say that conjunctivitis caused by a virus does not pose any problems. But the possibilities always remain. Expectant mothers should immediately consult a doctor if primary signs of the disease are detected. It is also worth noting that the course of the disease does not affect breastfeeding in any way. Complications of conjunctivitis are almost eliminated.
It is worth talking about chlamydial infection, which is not as successful for both the fetus and the mother. Here, the main factor in the development of the conjunctiva is untreated chlamydia. This form of the disease contributes to changes in the body that lead to early birth and infection in the developing fetus.
In addition to the above, the presence of chlamydial flora also contributes to the active susceptibility of the body to sexually transmitted diseases. Approximately half of the newborns are diagnosed with conjunctivitis, and 30 percent develop pneumonitis. But modern medicine does not stand still, so all risks are minimized, and other types of diseases do not pose a threat to newborns at all.
Possible dangers of conjunctivitis in adults
Due to medical progress, this disease does not pose any particular threat, and usually the complications of conjunctivitis in adults are reduced to nothing. All you need is an emergency consultation with a doctor, even with minimal symptoms. It is better to play it safe once again and be sure of your he alth. untimelydiscovery of a problem, a belated visit to a specialist and an incomplete course of therapy can still play a cruel joke and lead to serious trouble.
Complications after conjunctivitis:
- Blepharitis is a pathology in which there is inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. The disease is quite serious and requires long-term therapy, but often does not lead to visual impairment. The main factor in the occurrence is low immunity and the inability of the body to fight viruses.
- Keratitis is an ophthalmic disease that leads to inflammation of the cornea of the organs of vision. Reflex contraction of the circular muscles, excessive release of lacrimal fluid, photophobia - all these are the primary symptoms of a complication. Possible consequences: decreased quality of vision, secondary glaucoma, inflammation of the tissues of the eyeball, blood sepsis.
- Dry eye syndrome is a common pathological condition in which there is insufficient hydration of the cornea of the eyes and the conjunctiva itself. May also lead to xerosis.
- Entropion is a condition in which the outer edge of the eyelid turns inward (that is, the shape and direction change). This disease provokes many negative consequences due to impaired eye function. Infectious ulcers appear, disruption of the lacrimal gland. The disease can be transmitted at the genetic level, or due to complications after the disease.
Methods of treating conjunctivitis
The treatment is based on the elimination of possible causes andfactors in the development of the disease. If after the examination it is revealed that the infection is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe eye drops with an antibiotic. Usually the disease is treated within a few days. Medicines prescribed by specialists: "Floxal", "Levomisin".
It's another matter if the disease is caused by a virus. In this case, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs. It can be various ointments, drops for external use.
Allergic conjunctivitis is much easier to deal with. The doctor prescribes drugs familiar to everyone: "Zodak", "Suprastin".
Folk methods
- Washing with a solution of dry aloe leaves, or squeezed juice diluted in boiled water at a ratio of 1:10.
- Juice of freshly squeezed dill in the first stages of the disease can have an effect.
- Honey diluted in water in a ratio of 1:12 is rarely used as drops for external use.
- Washing with rosehip infusion can reduce purulent inflammation.
Conclusion
Following simple rules, you can easily avoid the complications of the disease. Measures: hygiene, checking the eye and adjacent organs for irritation and changes, if primary symptoms are detected, immediately consult a doctor. Alternative treatment of conjunctivitis at home, both in a child and in adults, can relieve symptoms a little at an early stage, but does not save you fromdiseases.
