Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye, specifically the inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a transparent membrane (mucosa) covering the inner eyelid and the outside of the eyeball. It is an irritation caused by various factors.
The main causes of irritation are light or dust. The irritation can also be caused by a virus (herpes, measles, chicken pox) or a bacterium. The air in the mountains or the sea, chemicals, allergy or parasitic fungi can also cause irritation. The irritation causes itching or the feeling of the presence of a grain of sand in the eye.
The main symptoms are redness of the eye and excess liquid. If conjunctivitis is due to an infection, the fluid contains pus that tends to stick the lids together, especially in children. An allergy causes an excess of tears. Conjunctivitis usually does not affect the view.
Conjunctivitis from a bacterium is treated with antibiotics. If it comes from a virus, antibiotics are only to prevent bacteria. If conjunctivitis is a symptom of a disease, the doctor tries to relieve the symptoms, but attempts to treat the disease.
In cases of conjunctivitis caused by allergy, the removal of the allergen, a cat, for example, is usually sufficient to correct the problem.
30 mai 2010
| The text above is for information purposes only. Only a doctor can diagnose a disease. No treatment (medication or scheme) should be undertaken without consulting a health professional. |