Montes Eye


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CONJUNCTIVITIS



Conjunctivitis





Jorge A . Montes, MD



Suppose you have ever had a red, irritated eye, its no denying that it was a significant impediment to your everyday activities. Not to mention the stigma that comes with having a sight for sore eyes. Having conjunctivitis may have forced you out of school or work. So what causes them and who needs to stay out of school or work and for how long? We'll address these questions and more below.


ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS ​



Most people with allergic conjunctivitis will also have a history of seasonal allergies. The same triggers that can cause people to have allergy or sinus symptoms can also cause ocular symptoms.


Symptoms include:

• Photophobia or light sensitivity

• Itchiness

• Stringy mucous discharge


The vision is usually normal or very mildly affected and tends to affect BOTH eyes simultaneously. There is no profuse mucous discharge and lacks the crusting seen in viral conjunctivitis.


TREATMENT

Treatment includes chilled preservative-free artificial tears and an antihistamine eye drop. There are many Over-The-Counter antihistamine eye drops available. If you require higher concentrations, your Ophthalmologist can prescribe one for you. Allergy avoidance is vital in preventing recurrences. You may need to see an allergist if severe symptoms persist.


BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS



Spreading bacteria to the ocular surface has to occur to cause a bacterial infection. The source can come from eye rubbing with contaminated hands, recent bacterial infections elsewhere (pneumonia, sinusitis), through recent sick contacts, or sexual exposure (gonorrhea, chlamydia).


Symptoms include:

• Thick purulent discharge

• Blurry vision

• Photophobia

• Erythema or severe redness

• Usually unilateral


TREATMENT

In this case, a topical antibiotic is in order. The type depends on the cause. A medical history and culture of the discharge can help identify the cause.


VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS



They are classically known as pink eye. Many viruses can cause pink eye, and most get onto the eye by direct contact. Exposure to someone who has recently had a viral infection, i.e., diarrhea or upper respiratory infection (URI) or recent exposure to swimming pools, is a common risk factor. Additionally, eye rubbing can inoculate viruses found on contaminated surfaces.


Symptoms include:

• Profuse watery discharge

• Crusting of the eyelids

• Blurry vision

• Photophobia

• Usually Unilateral


TREATMENT

Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment for viral conjunctivitis, and the focus is to let it run its course while ensuring scarring and inflammation is minimal. Chilled artificial tears can help for mild discomfort.


• You must maintain proper hygiene to prevent spread:

• Washing your hands frequently.

• Not touching the other eye.

• Cleaning all surfaces regularly (doorknobs, handles, etc.)

• Changing pillow cases daily

• Not reusing towels

• Throwing away mascara and any other eye makeup


SCHOOL AND WORK RESTRICTIONS



​There is no work restriction recommended for allergic conjunctivitis.


The course of bacterial conjunctivitis will typically be 7-10 days without treatment and shorter with an antibiotic. Return to work or school is recommended after the redness and discharge have improved.


Regarding Adenoviral Conjunctivitis, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Conjunctivitis Preferred Practice Pattern recommends avoiding contact with others for a variable 10 to 14 days from the onset of symptoms in the last affected eye. Return to work is acceptable when tearing and discharge have improved.





DHR Health Eye Institute



4500 North 10th Street, Suite 100, McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: 956-362-2070
Fax: 956-362-2074