All of us would have experienced the irritation and discomfort of an eye turned red. This is called red eye or conjunctivitis (one of the commonest of eye disorders, both for doctors as well as patients).
Infections
Hot and humid conditions are ideal for viruses and bacteria to multiply and a human membrane, the conjunctiva which has a tear layer on it acts like a culture medium. These conditions cause germs to stick on to the hands, face and clothes longer, there-by making them unclean very often. Upper respiratory viral and bacterial infections occur more frequently in this weather and lead to eye infections.
Symptoms
Conjunctivitis can present with redness – little to severe, thick pus like discharge, watering, stickiness of eyelids mostly on waking up, itching or irritation, pain occasionally, heavy eyes and sometimes blurred vision.
Precautions
You can take a few precautions to avoid catching these infections. Keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water regularly. Avoid body contact with patients with conjunctivitis. Keep the towel, handkerchief, napkins, clothes pillow covers and bed sheets of patients with conjunctivitis separate and wash them separately.
To avoid spreading the infection, children with conjunctivitis should stay off from school for 3 to 7 days. Wash the eyes thoroughly with plain water repeatedly to clean the discharge.
Treatment
Treatment includes frequent washing of eyes with plain water. One should report to eye specialist for correct medicines. Usually antibiotic eye drops are given for a week at least. Avoid steroid eye drops and off the counter drops or self medication.
Alien is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. He is a contributing editor to home remedies, a site dedicated to the home remedies for common ailments. Check out this site for more information on home remedies for red eyes |
