Viral, bacterial or allergic, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. How to treat it, when to worry about it, how to prevent it? Top Santé takes stock with Dr. Sirine Hammoud, ophthalmologist surgeon in Paris.
SUMMARY :
What is conjunctivitis and are there different types of conjunctivitis?
A conjunctivitis is irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the eyeball and the inside of the eyelids. “There are mainly two types of conjunctivitis: infectious conjunctivitis – viral or bacterial basically – or allergic“, specifies Dr. Sirine Hammoud, ophthalmic surgeon in Paris, contacted by Top Santé.
What are the possible causes of conjunctivitis?
The causes of infectious conjunctivitis are:
- Les virus: adenovirus, virus herpétique, molluscum contagiosum…
- Bacteria: streptococcus, staphylococcus aureus, chlamydia and gonococcus…
“Regarding allergic conjunctivitis, seasonal allergies, perennial allergies (exposure to substances present throughout the year such as dust, editor’s note), allergies to contact lens care products, food allergies… can be in question, adds Sirine Hammoud. Finally, toxic conjunctivitis, often associated with keratitis, is caused by exposure to tear gas, for example, or to other caustic products.notes the ophthalmologist.
What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?
The symptoms of conjunctivitis are variable and will depend on the cause. “However, certain symptoms are common to the different causes such as ocular discharge, the sensation of having a foreign body in one eye – such as a large piece of sand – and conjunctival redness”, lists our expert.
The specific symptoms are:
- In the allergic conjunctivitis : itching and conjunctival edema
- In the infectious conjunctivitis : pseudomembranes, palpebral edema (in the eyelids)
- In the viral conjunctivitis : pretragic adenopathy (ganglion) and a flu-like syndrome
When should you consult?
We can wait a little before consulting. “However, in the absence of improvement after 48 hours, you should consult your primary care physician. If there is no improvement after 7 days or if the conjunctivitis is associated with pain then I recommend an ophthalmological consultation”, advises Sirine Hammoud.
Is conjunctivitis a symptom of Covid-19?
“Yes, coronavirus conjunctivitis is one of the possible symptoms of Covid 19. They have the same characteristics as other viral conjunctivitis, without major virulence”, explains Dr. Sirine Hammoud.
How to treat conjunctivitis?
The first gesture, whatever the cause, is a saline eyewashavailable without a prescription in pharmacies. “When the conjunctivitis is of infectious origin then we will use an antiseptic, a antibiotic therapy will be prescribed if the cause is bacterial, associated with a anti-inflammatory steroid in case of major inflammation”details the specialist.
She adds : “if the cause is allergic then the treatment is an anti-histamine in eye drops and artificial tears to overcome reactive dryness”.
Have natural treatments been proven? “Saline eye wash is a natural treatment that works. It washes the eye of allergens and germs that come into contact with the eye and thus reduces the local viral and bacterial load”, says Sirine Hammoud.
How long does conjunctivitis last?
Should conjunctivitis always be treated or can it disappear spontaneously? “Allergic conjunctivitis gradually disappears in the absence of recurrent exposure to the allergen in question. Viral conjunctivitis resolves spontaneously in most cases in 7 days. Bacterial conjunctivitis is dragging in the absence of appropriate treatment”, explains the doctor. Consequently, the duration of conjunctivitis is very variable.
Is conjunctivitis contagious?
“Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious via secretions and hand-borne transmission – infectious agents are transmitted through the hands”, says the specialist. This explains why the parents of babies or very young children themselves suffering from conjunctivitis, can be contaminated. Allergic conjunctivitis is never contagious.
Adult conjunctivitis: what are the right actions while waiting for recovery?
During illness, what should you pay particular attention to? What are the good gestures?
“Concerning the prevention of infectious conjunctivitis, it is particularly recommended to wash your hands well after instillation of eye drops, not to share towels at home, to wash pillows frequently to avoid any risk of reinfection…”, lists the eye surgeon.
What complications in case of late treatment?
It exists two main complications in adult conjunctivitis:
– Keratitis, an attack on the cornea, linked to dry syndrome or secondary inflammation
– Conjunctival adhesions: “also called symblepharon, are sometimes observed in large inflamed conjunctivae”.
Note that the major complication of conjunctivitis, blindness, is a complication of neonatal conjunctivitis in the absence of treatment.
In case of chronic conjunctivitis, what to do?
Bacterial conjunctivitis whose germ has not been targeted can easily become chronic. Conjunctival sampling is then possible. Goal ? “Isolating the germ and establishing targeted antibiotic therapy”.
Allergic conjunctivitis can also be chronic depending on the allergens involved, such as dust mites and pollution in particular.
Can conjunctivitis be prevented? How ?
“If the conjunctivitis is of allergic origin, the detection of the allergens in question is necessary before considering desensitization”. Prevention consists in observing the good gestures mentioned above.
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