Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye (i.e. the sclera) and the inner surface of the eyelids.
Conjunctivitis is probably the most common eye disease and can be acute or chronic.
The causes of conjunctivitis can be very varied, the most common and well-known are:
- eye infections by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites
- allergies
- chemicals such as cosmetics, drugs, building products, various environmental factors, …
- physical agents of various kinds such as excessive exposure to the sun and other radiation
Conjunctivitis, depending on the underlying cause, has different signs and symptoms that the ophthalmologist must interpret in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Symptoms include:
- excessive tearing
- burning
- feeling of sand in the eyes or sensation of a foreign body
- secretion or pus, in which case the eyes tend to get sticky
- photophobia
- itching, very intense in the case of allergic forms
Among the signs observed by the doctor:
- red eye, which is by far the most common
- more or less intense swelling of the conjunctiva and eyelids
- possible greenish-yellow discharge, pus, in the case of bacterial forms
Differential diagnosis is not easy and the misuse of drugs can lead to even serious complications. The diagnosis, therefore, must only be made by an ophthalmologist, who, depending on it, will initiate the most appropriate therapy to resolve the pathology.
Absolutely not recommended, therefore, do-it-yourself.