Conjunctivitis Health Dictionary

Acute red eye. Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Allergic or infective. Fifty per cent cases in hay fever season are due to allergy.

Causes: environmental chemicals, drugs, feathers, animal hairs. Infections include staphylococcus, pneumococci, herpes, gonococcal (rare). Conjunctivitis never causes persistent visual disturbance. Symptoms. Watery discharge, itching, blood vessels visibly engorged, sensation of grit, mucopus discharge may cause lids to stick together.

A casual attitude to Conjunctivitis can no longer be justified. Prolonged use of antibiotics and corticosteriods is best avoided, where possible. Eye infections of virus origin become more common. A simple douche with herb teas enables eyes to stay clear of most minor infections. If ‘red eye’ does not clear within 3 days refer to Eye Department of a modern hospital, especially infections from herpes (shingles).

Treatment. External. The following soothe and do not exacerbate herpes or cause glaucoma: Eyebright, Chamomile, Marshmallow, Mullein, Marigold, Fumitory, Rose petals, Melilot, Plantain, Elderflowers, Fennel, Rue, Raspberry leaves, Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera gel, Borage. Conjunctivitis of infants – Elderflowers, Rosewater.

Douche. 1 teaspoon any of the above herbs to cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Strain. Half-fill eye- bath for tepid douche freely. Separate baths for each eye.

Internal: tablets, liquid extracts, tinctures or powders: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Garlic (juice, corm or capsules freely – not to children). Dr Alfred Vogel. Apply white of an egg.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin A 7500iu, Vitamin B2 10mg, Vitamin C 3g, Vitamin E 400iu. Zinc. Cod Liver oil. 

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, causing redness, discomfort, and discharge from the affected eye. There are 2 common types: infective conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria or viruses; and allergic conjunctivitis, which is an allergic response to substances such as cosmetics and pollen. Both types have similar symptoms but in infective conjunctivitis the discharge contains pus

and may cause the eyelids to be stuck together on waking. In allergic conjunctivitis, the discharge is clear and the eyelids are often swollen.

Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotic eyedrops or ointment. Viral conjunctivitis often disappears without treatment. Allergic conjunctivitis may be relieved by eyedrops containing an antihistamine or a corticosteroid drug.

Other forms of conjunctivitis include neonatal ophthalmia, keratoconjunctivitis, and trachoma.

Inflammation and redness of the lining of the white part (conjunctiva) of the eye.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

See EYE, DISORDERS OF.

(pink eye) n. inflammation of the conjunctiva, which becomes red and swollen and produces a watery or pus-containing discharge. It causes discomfort rather than pain and does not usually affect vision. Conjunctivitis may be caused by infection by bacteria or viruses (in which case it usually spreads rapidly to the other eye) or physical or chemical irritation. The patient usually recovers with no after-effects in one to three weeks; bacterial infections respond to antibiotic eye drops. Allergic (or vernal) conjunctivitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the cornea usually due to a specific allergen, such as pollen, animal danders, or dust. It is characterized by itching, irritation, redness, watering of the eyes, and light sensitivity. See also inclusion conjunctivitis; trachoma.