Treat for sore eyes

Come monsoon or summer, and you will find conjunctivitis or sore eyes to be the most common epidemic in every household in India. The epidemic is extremely contagious as commonly thought it does not spread by 'looking at' a person's eyes, but by touching your eyes with unclean hands.All ages are equally susceptible to this spate. But one must not confuse this pandemic with the newborn conjunctivitis, which is a different kind where the birth passage has some infection. Dr Anand Shroff, MS (Ophth), FICS, of Shroff Eye Hospital, Bandra and Marine Drive, helps us detect the causes and provides solutions.

Vital Signs

While sore eyes can sometimes be alarming because it may make the eyes extremely red and can spread rapidly, it's a fairly common condition and usually causes no long-term eye or vision damage. But you can watch out for these signs:

• The eyes are usually itchy, and the whites of the eyes look red or pink

• A burning feeling may occur and it may be painful

• The eyelids tend to swell

• The eyes can water or become sticky due to discharge

• Vision is not usually affected.

Cause and effect

It is often learnt that sore eyes is spread through staring into the eye of another person who is already a victim. But there are various other ways through which conjunctivitis can be transmitted:

Bacterial - The epidemic is due to contact with infected persons (Happening on a large scale in the city at the moment)

Viral - Commonly associated with colds

Allergic - In our city construction dust is a major cause of allergic conjunctivitis. The form persisting throughout the year is usually triggered by dust mites. In some cases, use of mosquito-repellent liquids used in a closed room throughout the night can cause allergic conjunctivitis.

Touch - Conjunctivitis can spread from one eye to the other, especially when you rub your infected eye.
Conjunctivitis spreads through touch.

Prevention better than cure

• Hands must be washed or cleaned before touching your eyes even if you are not infected as conjunctivitis spreads through touch

• Refrain from crowded areas when there is an epidemic of conjunctivitis

• Overcome the urge to itch. Go to the washroom, wash the hands, rub your eyes gently, and then wash the hands again

• For children, avoid playmates that have red eyes

• Follow good hygiene of face and hands

• Eye drops are usually antibiotics and should not be started without consulting an eye doctor as there are various types of conjunctivitis

• You must avoid wearing contact lenses until your symptoms have disappeared

• Ensure that you do not go to work with red or 'sore eyes' unless fully cured to prevent spreading it to others

• There should be no sharing of face towels, especially if someone has conjunctivitis

• Use disposable tissues when you dry the eyes and throw them away after use. This will limit the contamination.

Facts and Myths

• It is a myth if you think that by staring into a red eye you will get one yourself

• It is also a myth that a person wearing dark glasses when he/she has a red eye is enough protection from spreading the condition

Pain Relief

If you think the redness in your eyes is taking a long time to heal, it is time you showed yourself to an ophthalmologist. Treating your infected eye is important in order to protect it from further infection -

• Pus and crust should be removed by bathing the eye with lukewarm water

• Depending on the type of conjunctivitis, eye drops that reduce inflammation and treat infection antibiotic are prescribed

• Do not miss any dose of the eye drops even if the redness reduces; follow the entire prescribed schedule, otherwise there is a chance of recurrence

• Do not wear contact lens until symptoms have gone, and for 24 hours after the last dose of any eye drop or ointment

• Always wash your hands before and after cleaning or touching your eyes

• Depending on the type of conjunctivitis, eye drops that reduce inflammation and treat infection are prescribed. Complete the entire prescribed course and dispose of any left over antibiotic eye drops after the treatment is over

• Sunwear or goggles is only used to overcome the urge to touch the eyes when the eyes itch and to avoid causing the psychological urge to itch if any person sees the red eyes

• Anti-inflammatory tablets may help relieve headache or swelling of the lids.



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[prachee]

this is really very good and helpful .