Conjunctivitis (children)

What is conjunctivitis (pink eye)?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a thin layer that covers the white part of the eye. When this layer gets infected, it results in one or both eyes getting irritated, which results in pinkness; hence the common name, pink eye.

How can conjunctivitis be prevented?

Conjunctivitis can be easily spread through contact with infected items, such as pillowcases, tissues, towels and flannels, as well as through water droplets from coughing or sneezing. Because it is contagious, thorough and frequent hand washing is essential if you want to avoid passing on the condition. You should also dispose of tissues after use and avoid sharing flannels and towels. Parents who have conjunctivitis can easily pass it to their toddlers and children if a preventative distance is not followed.

How is conjunctivitis treated?

The symptoms of conjunctivitis may clear on their own after a few weeks, so treatment isn’t always needed.

When conjunctivitis is not caused by bacteria, but rather, by a virus, then it does not respond to antibiotic drops. Antibiotic drops can be helpful in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis and are usually prescribed for a one- or two-week course.

Treatment of viral conjunctivitis usually involves the use of artificial tears, and/or painkillers, along with cold compresses and regular cleaning of the eyelids. Much like a cold or the flu, viral conjunctivitis will disappear when your body fights off the germs and becomes immune to the virus.

For severe cases of viral conjunctivitis, or when the cornea is affected, steroid drops can be given. If you have any type of conjunctivitis, you should not wear contact lenses.

What causes conjunctivitis?

We know conjunctivitis is caused by the eye’s exposure to bacteria and viruses, but there can still be other factors that contribute to your pink eye. In addition to infection from bacteria, viruses or other organisms, conjunctivitis can be caused by inflammation or allergies.

Here are some causes of conjunctivitis:

Allergic conjunctivitis: This form of conjunctivitis affects people who are prone to developing seasonal allergies. When people come into contact with substances such as pollen, dust particles, and other air irritants, their allergic reaction is triggered which can cause the swelling of their conjunctiva.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis: This type of pink eye can occur when rigid or soft contact lenses enter the eye, thus exposing the eye’s surface to an unnatural material. Prolonged periods of time wearing contact lenses can cause irritation. If contact lenses are not cleaned properly or changed as advised you could end up with conjunctivitis due to the build-up of bacteria.
Bacterial conjunctivitis: Staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria are usually responsible for infecting the respiratory system and the surface of the eyes. These bacteria are commonly found when making physical contact with other people such as handshakes, or when poor eye hygiene practices are in place. Using contaminated or expired eye make-up can also be a cause of conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to cause redness of the eye, accompanied by a sticky yellow discharge.
Viral conjunctivitis: As the name suggests, this type of conjunctivitis can occur due to the presence of viruses, which are common with colds and flu. When a person’s respiratory system is exposed to a viral infection, the virus is bound to creep up to other parts of the body, including the eyes. Usually lasting between two and three weeks, viral conjunctivitis may cause a watery red eye. Generally, conjunctivitis does not affect your vision; however, you may experience blurred vision or glare when looking at lights.

Conjunctivitis symptoms

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

The symptoms of conjunctivitis can vary, based on the primary cause. However, pink, bloodshot or puffy eyes are a common indication you may have the condition. Other indicators can include itching, a burning feeling in the eye or sticky eyelashes, particularly when you wake in the morning.

Symptoms you might experience with conjunctivitis:

Excessive production of tears
A burning and itchy sensation felt in the eye, which leads to the eye producing a thick mucus-like discharge
Swollen lymph nodes in the jaw, eyelids, and front of the ear
One or both eyes turning pink in colour due to irritation
Heightened sensitivity to light
Upper respiratory infection or cold
Slightly hazy vision

Types of conjunctivitis

Bacterial strains: With bacterial conjunctivitis, either one eye or both eyes are affected. When this type is present, your eye may secrete an excessive amount of pus and mucus as a defence mechanism against additional bacteria entering the eye's surface.
Viral strains: The most common type of conjunctivitis is the viral kind, and it is also the most contagious. With viral conjunctivitis, the virus enters one eye at first and then moves to the other in a few days. A lot of tears are discharged in this type of viral infection and the lymph nodes in your jaw and ear may also swell and become infected.
Ophthalmia neonatorum: This type is prevalent in newborns and is caused by dangerous bacteria that they are exposed to right after delivery.

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