Conjunctivitis and Viral Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the thin, translucent tissue (the "conjunctiva") that lines the white part of the eye.

When the term conjunctivitis is used, it usually refers to "pink eye" or "sore eyes" – an infection of the conjunctiva usually due to a virus, or less commonly due to bacteria. This is typically an acute infection associated with flu-like symptoms and is extremely contagious. Fortunately, viral conjunctivitis will commonly recover on its own, although this may take anywhere from one to three weeks.

Other common cause of conjunctivitis may include:

• Allergies ("allergic conjunctivitis") – common in patients with underlying allergic disease such as eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
• Blepharitis ("blepharoconjunctivitis") – due to excessive oiliness and inflammation of the eye lids.
  

 You may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Redness of one or both eyes
• Eye discharge – watery or stringy discharge, with sticky eyes on waking up in the mornings
• Persistent itch and discomfort
• Eyelid swelling or swelling of tissue surrounding the eye
• Other symptoms may include a mild fever, sore throat or runny nose
  
  

To prevent the spread of viral conjunctivitis:

• Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes or face. The virus may be on your hands and may then spread to other family and friends when they touch the same surfaces that you have touched
• Minimise touching of shared surfaces – such as tabletops, doorknobs and telephones
• Avoid shaking hands with others
• Do not share towels, linen, pillows, and bedsheets
• Do not share eye drops
• If possible, take time off from school or work until the eyes are no longer red, to avoid spreading the infection to classmates and colleagues
  
  

Diagnosis of viral conjunctivitis is usually made by a family doctor or eye doctor based on the typical symptoms and an eye examination. If your conjunctivitis does not recover or if you experience frequent recurrent episodes, then an eye examination by an ophthalmologist is required to diagnose other forms of conjunctivitis.

Viral conjunctivitis is usually self-resolving and treatment is aimed at reducing the itch and discharge until the eye recovers. Antibiotic eye drops may sometimes be prescribed if bacterial conjunctivitis is suspected.