Conjunctivitis Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, September 2008.
Answers to questions about conjunctivitis
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email. This section will expand over time.
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- Is there anything I can do to help ease my symptoms when I have conjunctivitis?
- What's the difference between a sticky eye and conjunctivitis in babies?
- Why are contact lens wearers more prone to getting conjunctivitis?
Is there anything I can do to help ease my symptoms when I have conjunctivitis?
Answer
Yes, there are several self-help measures that you can take to reduce symptoms of conjunctivitis.
Explanation
When you have conjunctivitis the first thing you should do is remove your contact lenses, otherwise they will keep irritating your eyes. Try not to wear them again until at least 24 hours after you have finished treatment or your symptoms have gone.
Placing a cold compress, a facecloth soaked in cold water, over your affected eye(s) can be soothing. For infective conjunctivitis, using artificial tears, such as Celluvisc or GelTears, can help relieve symptoms. You can buy artificial tears from your pharmacist. If possible choose a preservative-free preparation, as preservatives in eye drops can sometimes worsen or even cause allergic conjunctivitis. Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine.
There are also steps you can take to stop your symptoms getting any worse or spreading.
- Clean away any crusting or discharge from your eyelids and eyelashes using cotton wool balls soaked in water.
- Don't rub your eyes.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after you've touched your eyes.
- Don't share towels or pillows.
If your symptoms are caused by an allergy (eg to pollen or house dust mites), you should try to keep away from the allergen as much as possible. For pollen, you can do this by:
- keeping windows in buildings and cars closed when the pollen count is high
- wearing wraparound sunglasses
- taking a shower and washing your hair as soon as you get in if there is a lot of pollen outside
- not drying your washing outside
For house dust mites:
- try fitting a mattress cover with a dust mite impermeable cover
- use synthetic pillows and an acrylic duvet
- wash all your bedding at least once a week
If you have any concerns or questions about self-help measures for conjunctivitis, speak to your GP.
Further information
- Allergy UK
01322 619898
www.allergyuk.org
Sources
- Allergic conjunctivitis. National Library for Health. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 17 July 20088
- Infective conjunctivitis. National Library for Health. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 17 July 20088
What's the difference between a sticky eye and conjunctivitis in babies?
Answer
A sticky eye is very common in young babies and often resolves itself without any treatment before they are a year old. However, conjunctivitis in very young babies (within the first few weeks of life) can be a sign of a more serious infection. If you suspect that your baby has conjunctivitis, it's important to see your GP as soon as possible.
Explanation
In all babies, their tear drainage system isn't properly developed until they are born. The bottom of the nasolacrimal duct, the duct that carries tears into the nose, is usually not fully open. In most cases the opening quickly develops, resolving the problem. However, for up to 20% of babies during their first month of their life, the duct remains closed at the bottom causing a watery, sticky eye. This is commonly known as 'sticky eye', the medical term is congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
The first symptoms you may notice are that your baby's eyes are watering for no reason (ie he or she is not emotional or upset). This may be the odd trickle down their cheek or tears may roll down their face. There may also be some pus and crusting around their eyes.
With conjunctivitis, symptoms can include watering eyes, just like with a sticky eye, so it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between the two conditions. However, with conjunctivitis your baby may also have:
- soreness and discomfort - although this isn't always present
- itchiness, you may notice that your child is rubbing his or her eyes more than usual
- redness of the whites of their eye
- slight sensitivity to light
Your baby may be distressed by these symptoms, more so than if they simply have a sticky eye.
It's important to see your GP as soon as you can if you suspect your baby has conjunctivitis, as it can be the result of an infection passed to your child at birth. The two most serious infections are chlamydia, which can cause your baby to develop pneumonia, and gonorrhoea, which can develop into a severe eye infection.
Sources
- Young JDH, MacEwen CJ. Managing congenital lacrimal obstruction in general practice. BMJ 1997; 315:293-295
- Infective conjunctivitis. National Library for Health. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 17 July 2008
Why are contact lens wearers more prone to getting conjunctivitis?
Answer
Conjunctivitis, specifically giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), is a common condition in people who wear contact lenses. It's often triggered by chemicals and preservatives in contact lens solutions or the lens itself causing your eyes to become irritated and itchy.
Explanation
GPC happens when your body reacts to an allergen in your tears or on your contact lenses. An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Your body's immune system mistakes the allergen for a harmful invader causing a reaction. Allergens aren't usually harmful and most people aren't sensitive to them. For contact lens wearers, the allergen is usually found in the chemicals and preservatives in contact lens care solutions, eye drops or the lenses themselves.
The allergen causes parts of your conjunctiva to swell and produce too much mucus. This makes your eye(s) feel itchy and irritated, and can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. Some people find that their lenses move around every time they blink, making their symptoms even worse.
If you have GPC, you should stop wearing your contact lenses. Often this will immediately stop the overproduction of mucus in your eyes, but the redness and soreness may remain. It's important to see your GP or optometrist so that he or she can examine your eyes and exclude other eye conditions. An optometrist is a registered health professional who examines eyes, tests sight and dispenses glasses and contact lenses. He or she may advise you to wear your lenses for shorter periods of time or less frequently. Also you may need to change the products you use to care for your lenses. Sometimes it's necessary to switch to different lenses altogether.
Occasionally, you may need to be referred to an ophthalmologist for further diagnosis and treatment. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who identifies and treats eye conditions (including surgical treatments).
Often no treatment is necessary, as symptoms start to reduce as soon as you remove your contact lenses. Placing a cold compress, a facecloth soaked in cold water, over your eyes can be soothing and can help to relieve any remaining symptoms. Also make sure you don't rub your eyes no matter how itchy they are. Occasionally, if symptoms are particularly bad, allergy medicines such as sodium cromoglycate are prescribed.
If you have any questions or concerns about GPC, it's important to talk to your GP or optometrist.
Sources
- Conjunctivitis, Giant Papillary. eMedicine. www.emedicine.com, accessed 18 July 2008
- Allergic conjunctivitis. National Library for Health. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 17 July 2008
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: September 2008
Conjunctivitis factsheet
Visit the conjunctivitis health factsheet for more information.
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