Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis also known as Pink Eye is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, clear membrane that protects your eyes. As the blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen and irritated, your eyes appear red or pink and secrete a sticky discharge. It may happen in one or both of your eyes. Conjunctivitis, especially Neonatal Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis in babies), can be highly contagious as they are more likely to rub their eyes and pass on the contamination to their friends and other loved ones. Timely madras eye treatment and precautions can help manage the discomfort of pink eye, helping limit bacterial or viral infection.

Did you know:

India is currently witnessing a spike in the number of cases of conjunctivitis. AIIMS Delhi has reported more than 100 patients witnessing the infection every day. This spur in conjunctivitis cases has made it a global health concern. In the wake of the rising cases, the Tamil Nadu health department has asked people to be watchful of the highly infectious “Madras Eye”.

Delhi-NCR: One private eye care hospital in Delhi reported 1,032 cases of conjunctivitis in Delhi-NCR and 1,521 cases PAN India.
Gujarat: Since June, Gujarat has witnessed 2.17 lakh (217,000) cases of conjunctivitis.
Maharashtra: In July, Maharashtra saw a staggering 87,761 conjunctivitis cases, making it one of the most severe outbreaks in recent years.
Karnataka: Between July 25 and August 4, Karnataka recorded 40,477 cases of conjunctivitis.

What Is Madras Eye?

Want to know why conjunctivitis is called madras eye? The Madras Eye Infection was diagnosed in Chennai at the King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research in 1918. The infection was caused due to a virus called adenovirus, first detected in Madras and so got the name Madras Eye. As the infection quickly spreads, doctors recommend avoiding touching the eyes with dirty hands to prevent Madras Eye.

How Does Conjunctivitis Spread?

Infectious conjunctivitis is caused by viral or bacteria that lead to infection in the blood vessels of the conjunctiva. Touching your eyes frequently with dirty hands or coming in contact with objects that are contaminated with such viruses or bacteria can also cause pink eyes. More likely, it can also advance through respiratory tract droplets. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious or transferable. While neonatal conjunctivitis is passed from an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth. Fungal conjunctivitis is rare and not highly contagious.

Types Of Conjunctivitis

In general, there are three types of conjunctivitis, depending on what triggers the infection. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious, spreading from one person to another. However, allergic conjunctivitis is non-contagious.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

This type of conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction to environmental substances like cigarette smoke, pollen, pool chlorine, car fumes, etc. Allergic conjunctivitis is a seasonal infection. It is also possible to have giant papillary conjunctivitis (another type of allergic pink eye) if you wear infected hard contact lenses or soft contact lenses. Most often, allergic reactions to these foreign substances may become the reason for conjunctivitis, leading to watery discharge from the eyes. So, if you’re prone to seasonal allergies, using eyeglasses is the best thing to keep this infection at bay.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis:

Often associated with contact lens wear, this condition is characterised by the formation of large bumps (papillae) on the inside of the eyelids. It can cause itching, redness, and discomfort in the eyes.

Infectious Conjunctivitis

Viral Conjunctivitis or Bacterial Conjunctivitis is highly spreadable and is the most common type of conjunctivitis. They usually begin in one eye, causing watery discharge, and from there, it may transfer to the other eye within a few days. In many cases, viral conjunctivitis symptoms may develop along with respiratory infections, such as sore throat or cold. The common viral or bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms include a burning sensation, watery or faecal discharge, and red eyes.

Chemical Conjunctivitis

Chemical Conjunctivitis is similar to allergic conjunctivitis. It develops when chemicals or smoke causes inflammation in the blood vessels of the conjunctiva. The best way to prevent this type of conjunctivitis is to wash your eyes as soon as the toxic chemical or liquid comes in contact with your eyes. Chlorine water in swimming pools is the most common toxic liquid that may cause chemical conjunctivitis or mild pink eye. You can adopt a conjunctivitis cure regimen by avoiding exposure to these environmental and chemical irritants.

Gonococcal Conjunctivitis:

Gonococcal conjunctivitis is a rare but serious type of conjunctivitis caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is also responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea. This type of conjunctivitis can occur in newborns during childbirth if the mother is infected with gonorrhoea. It can also affect adults through direct contact with infected genital secretions, usually during sexual activity or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes.

Chlamydial Conjunctivitis:

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is typically associated with a genital infection. Like gonococcal conjunctivitis, it can also be transmitted to newborns during childbirth if the mother has a chlamydial infection. It's important to note that this type of conjunctivitis can also occur in adults who engage in sexual activity with an infected partner.

Neonatal Conjunctivitis:

Neonatal conjunctivitis is a type of eye infection that affects newborn infants. It occurs within the first few weeks of life and can result from various factors, including infections acquired during childbirth. This condition is sometimes referred to as "ophthalmia neonatorum."

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis: How do you know if you have Conjunctivitis?

How to know if you have pink eyes? If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, there's a chance you might be dealing with pink eye. The early pink eye symptoms may include:-

If your madras eye symptoms do not get better in 12-24 hours, make an appointment with your doctor right away.

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Complications And Risk Associated With Conjunctivitis

How Is Pink Eye Diagnosed?

Your doctor will be able to diagnose pink eye or madras pink eye by simply looking at the symptoms. They will ask you general questions to know your condition better; this is a part of the physical examination. For instance, they may ask if you’re suffering from a common cold or allergic reaction such as hay fever or asthma.

Conjunctivitis Treatment

Want to know how to cure pink eyes? Well, the pink eye treatment may depend on the type of infection you’re experiencing.

Medical Treatments

Home Remedies For Conjunctivitis

If you have viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, there is no treatment. The body heals itself in a couple of days, attacking the virus on its own. However, you can reduce the effects by following conjunctivitis prevention measures and these home remedies:-

Conjunctivitis Transmission : How Do You Pevent Conjunctivitis From Spreading?

Viral and Bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious, so following certain preventive measures can help slow down the risk of infection of conjunctivitis in kids and adults.