Conjunctivitis Types and Symptoms

Eyes risk serious problems. They are very sensitive towards heat, invasion of foreign particles, dust, etc. Conjunctivitis is one such infection of the eye. In this the conjunctiva layer, which is most immediate inner layer to eye lids, gets either viral or bacterial infection. It is also known as “Madras eye” or “pink eye”.

The symptoms and sign are quite clear and characteristic. There is redness in eyes. The eyes get water and there is much irritation in eyes.  These  symptoms are common to all types of conjunctivitis. The types include acute, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis.

In acute conjunctivitis there is eyelid swelling. Viral infection in conjunctivitis will include infection of respiratory track, accompanied by common cold. There is variable itching in eyes.

It may start with one eye and spreads to the other eye also.In case of bacterial infection there is yellowish and greenish  discharge from the eyes. There is also redness and itchiness in the eyes. The culprit bacteria are Moraxella or Chlamydia trachomatis. The more severe is the infection, more it is painful.

Bacterial infection is the most common cause for conjunctivitis.  The patient is unable to look at bright eyes. It is painful. Many times people are unable to distinguish between a conjunctivitis attack and common cold.  They may confuse it with sinus trouble or seasonal change.

The treatment must be taken as soon as possible.There are many important precautions that must be taken during conjunctivitis. The person must wear black eye glasses so as to save eye from too much light. The patient must not touch the effected eye at all.  Also, the clothes and handkerchiefs of the patient must be kept separately and washed well.

The diagnosis of this condition is done through clinical tests like schimer eye test, lagophthalmos test and unstable tear film tests. These are able to differentiate various types of conjunctivitis.