Download Conjunctivitis - St Wulfstan Surgery

Conjunctivitis is inflammation (swelling) of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane (thin layer of cells) that
covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surfaces of the eyelids.
There are three types of conjunctivitis, each with a different cause. These are:
 irritant conjunctivitis
 allergic conjunctivitis
 infective conjunctivitis
Irritant conjunctivitis
Irritant conjunctivitis occurs when an irritant, such as chlorine (a chemical often used to purify water) or an eyelash, gets into the
eyes, making them sore. Do not rub the eyes as this can make the condition worse. The conjunctivitis should settle once the irritant
is removed. If the eyes are very red and painful, seek medical attention immediately.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the eyes come into contact with an allergen. An allergen is a substance that makes the immune
system (the body’s defence system) react abnormally, causing irritation and inflammation. For more information on this type of
conjunctivitis.
Infective conjunctivitis
Infective conjunctivitis is caused by a virus, bacteria or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
The most common symptoms include:
 reddening and watering of the eyes
 a sticky coating on the eyelashes, particularly when waking up in the morning
How common is infective conjunctivitis?
Infective conjunctivitis is very common and is responsible for 35% of all eye-related problems recorded in GP surgeries. There are
13-14 cases for every 1,000 people every year. Infective conjunctivitis is most common in children and the elderly. This may be
because children come into contact with more infections at school. Elderly people may be more prone to infections as their
immune system (the body’s defence system) may be weaker.
Outlook
Infective conjunctivitis rarely requires medical treatment. If the infection is not caused by an STI, it will normally heal by itself
within one or two weeks. For most people, the condition does not cause any complications. However, newborn babies (up to 28
days old) are at risk of a more serious infection.
Treating infective conjunctivitis
Most cases of infective conjunctivitis do not require medical treatment and will heal without treatment in one to two weeks.
Self-care
There are a number of ways that you can treat infective conjunctivitis at home. The guidelines below should help ease your
symptoms:
 Remove your contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, take them out until all the signs and symptoms of the infection
have gone. Avoid using contact lenses until 24 hours after you have finished a course of treatment, such as antibiotics. If
you have glasses, wear these instead.
 Use lubricant eye drops. These can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies or they may be prescribed for
you. They may help ease any soreness and stickiness in your eyes. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
 Gently clean away sticky substances. When you wake in the morning, you may notice a sticky substance around your
eyes. You can gently clean this away from your eyelids and eyelashes using cotton wool soaked in water.
 Wash your hands regularly. This is particularly important after you have touched your infected eyes and will stop the
infection spreading to other people.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for infective conjunctivitis because:
 antibiotics will make little difference to your recovery from infective conjunctivitis
 the risk of any complications from untreated infective conjunctivitis is very low
 about 10% of people who have their infective conjunctivitis treated with antibiotics experience adverse side effects
 overusing antibiotics to treat minor ailments can make them less effective in the treatment of more serious or lifethreatening conditions
You may be advised to delay using any medicine for seven days to see if the condition clears up by itself.
If your infective conjunctivitis is particularly severe or has lasted for more than two weeks, you may be prescribed antibiotics.
Some schools or playgroups insist that a child is treated with antibiotics before they can return, although this is rarely necessary.
Further treatment
If you still have symptoms after two weeks, it is very important to go to your GP. Also contact your GP immediately if you
experience any of the following symptoms:
 moderate to severe eye pain
 photophobia (sensitivity to light)
 loss of vision
 intense redness in one or both of your eyes
Factsheet on Conjunctivitis
What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis means inflammation of the eye.
What causes conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis may be caused by bacteria, viruses or occasionally allergy to a particular substance.
How does conjunctivitis present?
The eye appears red and may feel 'gritty', with a watery or yellow discharge. One eye is usually involved at
first but both eyes are usually affected within a few hours.
How long does conjunctivitis last?
The infection may last for 2-3 weeks; many patients have no more than redness of the eyes and a slight
discharge for a few days.
What is the treatment?
Topical antibiotic drops are often used for treating bacterial eye infections. Conjunctivitis resulting from
viral infection will improve without treatment.
Is it necessary to keep my child away from school or nursery?
Exclusion of single cases from school/nursery is not generally necessary. It may be necessary if an outbreak
occurs.
How does conjunctivitis spread?
Conjunctivitis spreads most commonly by contact with the discharge from the eye or upper respiratory tract
of infected persons. Contaminated hands, clothing or other articles, including sharing eye make-up
applicators, or multiple dose eye medications are the vehicles by which organisms may reach another person.
How may the spread of conjunctivitis be prevented?
• Good standards of hand washing and drying
• Personal hygienic care and appropriate treatment of the affected
• Avoid sharing equipment such as make-up applicators
• Do not use contact lenses whilst infection is present
eye
How long does it take to develop symptoms?
This is variable depending on the cause, usually 1-3 days for bacteria, 1-12 days for viruses and longer for
certain eye infections in small babies.
When is it infectious?
Usually from the time symptoms appear until they have resolved. Some patients with viral infections may be
infectious for up to 14 days after symptoms start.