» Common Causes of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis can occur due to several reasons:

• Viral infection (most common)

• Bacterial infection

• Allergic reaction (dust, pollen, smoke, pets)

• Irritants (pollution, chemicals, chlorine, smoke)

• Poor eye hygiene or contact lens misuse

Identifying the cause is important for proper treatment.

» Types of Conjunctivitis

‣ Viral Conjunctivitis

• Caused by viruses (often associated with cold or flu)

• Highly contagious

• Watery discharge

• Redness and irritation

‣ Bacterial Conjunctivitis

• Caused by bacteria

• Thick yellow or green discharge

• Eyes may stick together after sleep

• More common in children

‣ Allergic Conjunctivitis

• Triggered by allergens like pollen or dust

• Affects both eyes

• Severe itching and watering

• Not contagious

‣ Irritant Conjunctivitis

• Caused by smoke, chemicals, or pollution

• Redness and burning sensation

• Improves once irritant is removed

» Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Common symptoms include:

• Red or pink eyes

• Itching or burning sensation

• Watery or sticky discharge

• Swollen eyelids

• Sensitivity to light

• Gritty or foreign body sensation

⚠️ Vision is usually normal, but blurring can occur due to discharge.

» Is Conjunctivitis Contagious?

• Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious

• Allergic conjunctivitis is NOT contagious

Good hygiene helps prevent spread.

» Diagnosis

Conjunctivitis is diagnosed through:

• Eye examination by an eye specialist

• Medical history and symptoms

• Rarely, lab tests if infection is severe or recurrent

Early diagnosis helps prevent complications.

» Treatment & Care (Overview)

Treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis:

• Viral conjunctivitis: Usually improves on its own with supportive care

• Bacterial conjunctivitis: Treated with prescribed antibiotic eye drops

• Allergic conjunctivitis: Managed with anti-allergy medications and avoiding triggers

• Irritant conjunctivitis: Improves after removing the irritant

👉 Self-medication should be avoided. Always consult an eye doctor.

» Home Care & Precautions

• Wash hands frequently

• Avoid touching or rubbing eyes

• Do not share towels, pillows, or cosmetics

• Stop contact lens use until recovery

• Use clean tissues to wipe discharge

• Avoid crowded places during active infection

These steps help faster recovery and prevent spread.

» When Should You See an Eye Doctor?

Consult an eye specialist if:

• Symptoms worsen or don’t improve in 2–3 days

• Severe pain or light sensitivity occurs

• Vision becomes blurred

• Thick discharge increases

• Conjunctivitis occurs in a newborn

Prompt care ensures safe recovery.