The conjunctiva is the thin, clear membrane over the white part of the eye, lining the eyelids as well. Inflammation of this membrane is called conjunctivitis.

Causes

Conjunctivitis is caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergic reaction. Bacterial and viral systemic infections or allergic reactions to dust, pollen, smoke, fumes or chemicals may also result in conjunctivitis.

Symptoms

Conjunctival inflammation gives the eye a reddish tinge and the common name of "pink eye." In general, pain, itching and redness on the eye surface accompany inflammation.

Viral conjunctivitis usually affects only one eye and causes excessive eye watering and a light discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes a heavy discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis also affects both eyes, and causes itching and redness in the eyes and sometimes the nose, as well as excessive eye watering.

Most Common Treatments

Avoiding the cause of conjunctivitis if possible is the best remedy. While we don't always have success staying away from bacterial and viral infections, avoiding allergic conjunctivitis is much easier. Keep your windows and doors closed on days when pollen is heavy. Dust and vacuum frequently to alleviate potential allergens in the home. Stay in well-ventilated areas if you're exposed to smoke, chemicals or fumes.

Antibiotic eyedrops will alleviate bacterial conjunctivitis only, and antihistamine allergy medications or eyedrops will help control allergic conjunctivitis symptoms. If you are diagnosed with the bacterial or viral form, warm compresses may help, while cold compresses may help with the allergic conjunctivitis.

Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are easily spread to other people. Wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. Don't share washcloths, towels or pillowcases with anyone else, and wash these items after each use. Don't share eyedrops or cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow or mascara, and replace them after you're healed to avoid re-infection. Your eye care practitioner may recommend you discontinue contact lens wear during this time, or replacing your contact lenses after you're healed.

Usually conjunctivitis is a minor eye infection, but it has the possibility to develop into a more serious condition. See your eye care practitioner for a diagnosis before using any eyedrops in your medicine cabinet from previous infections or eye conditions.

Which Conjunctivitis is it?

Your doctor needs to know whether your conjunctivitis is allergic, bacterial or viral so she can choose the appropriate treatment. Usually, she'll ask you some questions and examine your eyes; she may even collect a sample on a swab to send out for analysis.

A new system called a tear film analysis system can diagnose allergic conjunctivitis definitively. It measures IGe (immunoglobin E, an antibody present in allergic reactions) levels in your tears; high levels mean allergic conjunctivitis, while low levels indicate a viral or mild bacterial conjunctivitis. - G.W.