¿Qué es la conjuntivitis?

La conjuntivitis es una enfermedad que se produce por la inflamación de la conjuntiva que es la membrana que recubre el interior de los párpados y la parte blanca de los ojos. Su función es mantener el ojo húmedo y protegido de cuerpos extraños. Es fácil de detectarla ya que los síntomas son muy evidentes: irritación, picazón, los ojos se van tornando rojos y se produce mucha irritación en los mismos.

Es una de la consultas mas frecuentes en Tijuana Eye Center (Clínica de Ojos de Tijuana).

La conjuntivitis es una de las infecciones tratables más frecuentes en niños y adultos, puede ser causada por virus, bacteria, sustancias irritantes (shampoo, tierra, humo, cloro, etc.), alérgenos, o enfermedades de transmisión sexual.

¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la conjuntivitis?

• Ojo rojo

• Lagrimeo

• Secreción mucopurulenta o hialina, amarilla o verdosa

• Picazón

• Ardor

• Visión Borrosa

• Aumento en la sensibilidad a la luz

¿Como puedo aliviar los sintomas?

Proteger los ojos de sustancias irritantes. No usar lentes de contacto. Las compresas con agua frías pueden aliviar los síntomas. Es dispensable consultar al oftalmólogo para recibir un tratamiento adecuado.

¿Como puede prevenir el contagio a otras personas?

No tocarse los ojos. Lavarse las manos con agua y jabón. Limpiarse la secreción de los ojos. Lavar las toallas y sabanas con agua y jabón. No utilizar maquillaje. No utilizar el maquillaje de otra persona. No usar los lentes de contacto de otra persona.

Visite a su oftalmólogo para recibir el  tratamiento más adecuado para la solución de su problema de  conjuntivitis.

What causes conjunctivitis?
 
This is one of the most common and treatable eye infections in children and adults. Often called "pink eye," it is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid. This tissue helps keep the eyelid and eyeball moist. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, bacteria, irritating substances (shampoos, dirt, smoke, and especially pool chlorine), allergens (substances that cause allergies) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Pink eye caused by bacteria, viruses, and STDs can spread easily from person to person, but it is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly.

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?
 
Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
Greater amount of tears
Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep (in conjunctivitis caused by bacteria)
Other discharge from your eye (green or white)
Itchy eyes (especially in conjunctivitis caused by allergies)
Burning eyes (especially in conjunctivitis caused by chemicals and irritants)
Blurred vision
Increased sensitivity to light
Ear infections also commonly occur in children who have bacterial conjunctivitis.
 
See your ophthalmologist if you have any of these persistent symptoms. The ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and possibly take a sample of fluid from the eyelid with a cotton swab. Bacteria or viruses that may have caused conjunctivitis can then be seen through a microscope.

How is conjunctivitis treated?
 
Bacteria
 
Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. The antibiotic can be given as eye drops, ointments, or pills. Eye drops or ointments may need to be applied to the inside of the eyelid three to four times a day for five to seven days. It may be difficult to apply ointment inside of a child’s eye, but if the ointment gets as far as the eyelashes, it will most likely melt and enter the eye. Pills may need to be taken for several days. The infection should improve within a week. Take the medicine as instructed by your doctor, even if the symptoms go away.
 
Virus
 
Medicine cannot treat conjunctivitis caused by a virus. This type of conjunctivitis often results from a common cold. Just as a cold must run its course, so must this form of conjunctivitis, which will last from 4 to 7 days. You may, however, help relieve symptoms by applying a cold compress on closed eyes.
 
Irritating substance:
 
To treat this type of conjunctivitis, use warm water for five minutes to wash the irritating substance from the eye. You should also avoid further exposure to the irritating substances. Your eyes should begin to improve within four hours after washing away the substance. If they do not, call your doctor.
 
Allergies:
 
Allergy-associated conjunctivitis should be evaluated by your ophthalmologist and an allergist. It may disappear completely when the allergy is treated with antihistamines or when the allergen is removed. Relieve symptoms temporarily by applying a cold compress on closed eyes.
 
Ophthalmia neonatorum and STDs
 
The same bacteria that cause the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea can also infect the conjunctiva. This is called ophthalmia neonatorum and is most commonly spread during birth as the infant passes through the birth canal of an infected mother. Newborns are usually given eye drops immediately after birth to treat any possible infection. Conjunctivitis can also be spread through hand contact when rubbing the eyes or touching contact lenses after touching infected genitals. Oral antibiotics in the form of a pill, eye drops, or ointment are usually prescribed for treatment. Washing hands thoroughly can help prevent the spread of this type of conjunctivitis.
 
What can I do to relieve symptoms?
 
Protect your eyes from dirt and other irritating substances.
Remove contact lenses.
Place cold compresses on your closed eyes.
Wash your face and eyelids with mild soap or baby shampoo and rinse with water to remove irritating substances.
Non-prescription "artificial tears," a type of eye drops, may help relieve itching and burning. (Note: Other types of eye drops may irritate the eyes and should not be used.)
 
How can I prevent spreading the infection?
 
Don’t touch or rub the infected eye(s).
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
Wash any discharge from your eyes twice a day using a fresh cotton ball or paper towel. Afterwards, discard the cotton ball and wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent.
Avoid wearing eye makeup.
Don’t share eye makeup or eye drops with anyone else.
Never wear another person’s contact lens.
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses.
Throw away disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eyewear cases.
Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, cups, and glasses.
Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child’s eye.
Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected eye.
If your child has bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, keep him or her home from school or day care until he or she is no longer contagious.
 
The eyes can become re-infected. Call your doctor if symptoms last for more than three days after treatment.