Sight for sore eyes

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus or haemophilus bacteria, picked up from your own skin or from someone else with the condition. The discharge may contain pus, which can glue the eyelids together in the morning.

Viral conjunctivitis is often part and parcel of the common cold and caused by an adenovirus. It’s highly contagious and can sweep through schools and offices, spreading like wildfire on contaminated fingers, towels and swimming pool water. It can spread to the cornea, causing inflammation.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is caused by chlamydia trachomatis, an organism that can cause the sexually-transmitted disease, chlamydia. The discharge is sticky and again, the cornea may become infected.

Allergic conjunctivitis is common in people who suffer from hayfever, asthma and eczema and is often triggered by pollen, dust mites or cosmetics. Red itchy eyes and a stringy discharge are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

Treatments

Left to run its own course, conjunctivitis will clear up within a few weeks, but treatment and good hygiene will speed up recovery and make those days bearable.

Bathe the eye gently with cotton wool soaked in boiled cooled water to remove the stickiness and wash your hands afterwards to stop infection spreading. Two thirds of cases will clear up after about five days, but antibiotic drops or ointment, prescribed by your GP, may be needed.

Viral conjunctivitis fails to respond to antibiotics, so it’s important to bathe the eyes regularly and keep to strict hygiene guidelines – wash your hands after bathing the eyes and don’t share face cloths or towels. Use drops to soothe the eyes.

Chlamydia conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotic tablets and ointment to make sure the infection is contained and doesn’t spread, while allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine drops.

Other causes

Not all eye infections are due to allergies, bacteria or viruses. One of the commonest causes is irritation of the lid margins, known as blepharitis. This is characterised by red, itchy eyelid rims surrounded by scaly skin. Blepharitis is associated with dandruff or eczema and tends to recur. It is also exacerbated by central heating, air conditioning, flying, and long hours working at a computer screen, rarely blinking.