When our eyes start feeling irritated, our instinctive reaction is to rub them with our hands to alleviate the itching. However, it's important to realize that our hands can harbor bacteria and viruses that can cause conjunctivitis if they come into contact with our eyes. Additionally, prolonged eye strain can also contribute to the development of conjunctivitis. In this article, we'll provide you with some self-care tips and preventative measures to help you avoid this condition.

What causes conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which can affect one or both eyes and is typically caused by an infection from either a virus or bacteria. The redness seen in the conjunctiva comes from the dilation of capillaries in this area. Other factors that can cause this inflammation include rubbing or touching the eyes with hands, exposure to dust or dryness, eye injuries, or infections of the eye tissue.

Spending long hours staring at a mobile phone or computer screen can also lead to conjunctivitis, which is a type of Computer Vision Syndrome that presents with additional symptoms such as burning eyes, eye irritation, blurry vision, tears, or temporary myopia. To prevent this, it's important to take regular breaks and rest your eyes every 1-2 hours by looking at green or open spaces. This can help alleviate eye strain and prevent conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Although conjunctivitis is typically a mild condition, it can still cause discomfort and make daily life challenging. It can stem from a variety of factors, but presents with the following general symptoms:

·       Redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, which may even result in bleeding

·       Itchy, irritated, and watering eyes

·       An excessive amount of liquid or solid discharge from the eyes

·       If the cause of the conjunctivitis is bacterial, there may be yellow discharge

·       Inflamed and peeling eyelids, or eyelids that are red and swollen

·       Symptoms may manifest in one or both eyes

·       In some instances, there may be flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and coughing

·       Blurred vision

·       Loss of eyelashes

·       Swollen and painful lymph nodes in front of the ears

 7 Types of Conjunctivitis

1.        Allergic conjunctivitis: This type of conjunctivitis is brought on by the body's response to allergens, including seasonal allergies, reactions to different substances, or even contact lenses. Symptoms may vary based on the severity of each individual's allergy, but typically include swollen, itchy, irritated, and burning eyes, as well as watery eyes, sensitivity to light, and conjunctivitis.

2.        Conjunctivitis from Pinguecula and Pterygium:

Pinguecula and pterygium are both conditions that affect the conjunctiva and are caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Since UV is present in sunlight and some light bulbs, individuals who spend extended periods outdoors or in contact with UV light are more likely to experience this type of conjunctivitis. Initially, there are no visible symptoms, but abnormalities in the conjunctival tissue will begin to appear. Eye irritation, dryness, sensation of foreign body in the eye, burning, and occasional redness may also occur.

3.        Broken capillary conjunctivitis: When blood pressure abruptly increases, capillaries may rupture, which can result from forceful coughing, sneezing, or straining. This may also occur in individuals with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, clotting disorders, or those who have experienced accidents or have rubbed their eyes forcefully. People with broken capillary conjunctivitis often do not experience any symptoms. However, in certain instances, the eyes may feel irritated, depending on the underlying cause of the ruptured capillaries. For instance, if the capillaries were broken due to eye rubbing or a conjunctival wound, irritation may be present.

4.        Gonorrhea conjunctivitis: This type of conjunctivitis is caused by the bacteria N. gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis and typically affects newborns who contract the infection during birth from an infected mother. In most cases, the mother has been infected by a sexual partner. However, the incidence of this type of conjunctivitis has decreased in recent times due to improved prenatal care. Symptoms include rapid onset of redness in the eyes, painful eyes upon touch, extreme irritation, swollen eyes and eyelids, and a discharge of pus that may recur even after wiping it away. Gonorrheal conjunctivitis is considered severe, as the infection can penetrate the cornea and cause a black eye. If symptoms are present, prompt medical attention is necessary. If left untreated, severe symptoms such as blindness may develop.
 

5.        Acute glaucoma conjunctivitis: this results from a sudden elevation of intraocular pressure, which occurs when the anterior chamber of the eye is narrow. The drainage of intraocular fluid occurs through the opening at the front of the eye. Consequently, when this opening is narrow, there is a greater likelihood of decreased intraocular drainage and increased pressure. This condition may develop in individuals with farsightedness, retinal cataracts, lens dislocation due to accidents, or uveitis. Additionally, certain medications such as topiramate, nasal decongestants, and some antidepressants can cause this condition. The use of certain drugs may also induce these symptoms. Those with acute glaucoma conjunctivitis typically present with redness around the black part of the eye that persists. The cornea, which was once clear, becomes hazy, and individuals experience pupil dilation, eye pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and decreased visual acuity. If left untreated, this condition can result in blindness.

6.        Shingles Conjunctivitis: this condition is caused by the same virus that causes shingles and herpes. It results in the development of sores on the face near the eyes, which can lead to an infection that spreads to the eyes. Patients with this condition may experience corneal ulcers, which are characterized by abrasions that resemble the shape of a tree branch.

7.         Viral conjunctivitis: The cause of this type of conjunctivitis is an easily spread virus from the adenovirus group, which commonly occurs during the rainy season. Transmission is easily facilitated through physical contact or sharing of items with an infected person. Symptoms include acute redness, eye irritation, light sensitivity, pain, watery eyes, and swelling without discharge. Alternatively, patients may experience clear mucous discharge from the eyes. Symptoms usually appear within 1-2 days after exposure and can persist for 10-14 days.

Methods for Diagnosing Types and Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

An ophthalmologist can diagnose the cause of conjunctivitis by examining the eyes and asking about relevant factors such as medical history, lifestyle, and other potential irritants. Additional tests, such as sending eye discharge for infection, may also be necessary.

How to take care of yourself when you have conjunctivitis

·       Use artificial tears or eye drops to reduce irritation.

·       Strictly use medications as prescribed by your doctor.

·       Follow your doctor's instructions precisely when taking medications

·       Wash your hands with soap often.

·       Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. This can make the condition worse or infect the other eye.

·       Frequently wipe eyelids or tears with a soft tissue and dispose of it in a closed waste bin.

·       Do not use the same bottle of eye drops for both eyes and only apply it to the affected eye.

·       Keep personal belongings separate from others, such as towels, pillowcases, and blankets.

·       Stop using contact lenses until your eyes are completely healed.

·       Avoid swimming in pools during a conjunctivitis epidemic

·       Take a break from school or work for at least a week to prevent the spread of infection to others.

·       Allow your eyes to rest and get sufficient sleep

·       Unless there is corneal inflammation, there is no need to keep your eyes closed. If your eyes are highly irritated, you can temporarily close your eyes or wear sunglasses.

Prevention of conjunctivitis

·       Avoid sharing cosmetics or personal belongings with others.

·       Wash your eyes with clean water if there is dirt present.

·       Do not wear contact lenses for an extended period, and avoid sharing them with others. Clean them regularly.

·       Wash your hands with soap immediately after touching the patient's face, eyes, or belongings.

·       Limit the spread by isolating patients from large groups of people.

·       Reduce or avoid using your eyes whenever possible.

·       If there is a history of cataracts in your family, have regular eye health check-ups.

In today's digital age, where people spend most of their time in front of screens, eyes are crucial organs that are subjected to significant strain. Therefore, it is essential to undergo regular eye health checks to ensure that your eyes are in good condition. If you are a Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance customer, you can avail of the Krungthai-AXA Telehealth service to consult a doctor online. To access this service, download the Emma by AXA application and click on the "TeleHealth" button. You need to confirm your policy number for the first time you use it. For more information on this service, please visit https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-services/telehealth

References

·       Corporate Communication, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital
http://bit.ly/3ERec8Z
http://bit.ly/3m89Cwj

·       Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/697/Conjunctivitis

·       Bangkok Hospital
https://bit.ly/3J7QF62
http://bit.ly/3ybWWap
http://bit.ly/3SJZt5f

·       Bumrungrad Hospital
https://www.bumrungrad.com/th/conditions/conjunctivitis
https://www.bumrungrad.com/th/conditions/pinguecula-pterygium

·       Petcharavej Hospital
https://www.petcharavejhospital.com/th/Article/article_detail/pink_eye_detail

·       Pobpad website
http://bit.ly/3KRTaL4
http://bit.ly/3KTOvZ0

·       King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society
http://bit.ly/3kDST3B

·       Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
https://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/th/tvdetail.asp?tv_id=675

·       Bangkok Medical Service Department
http://www.msdbangkok.go.th/healthconner_Conjunctivitis.htm

·       Eye Ear Nose Throat Hospital
https://eent.co.th/articles/063/