Treatment of conjunctivitis
La conjunctivitis is a very common eye disease that occurs when the conjunctiva of the eye becomes inflamed due to an infection, virus, or allergic reaction. It is easily recognized by its annoying symptoms: red eyes, eye discharge, rheum, excessive tearing, and itching. That is why it is so important to perform a good treatment of conjunctivitis.
In the presence of conjunctivitis, if the origin is bacterial, the ideal is to start treatment as soon as possible, in order to mitigate the discomfort and fight the infection.
Treatment of conjunctivitis
La conjunctivitis is a very common eye disease that occurs when the conjunctiva of the eye becomes inflamed due to an infection, virus, or allergic reaction. It is easily recognized by its annoying symptoms: red eyes, eye discharge, rheum, excessive tearing, and itching. That is why it is so important to perform a good treatment of conjunctivitis.
In the presence of conjunctivitis, if the origin is bacterial, the ideal is to start treatment as soon as possible, in order to mitigate the discomfort and fight the infection.
How to treat conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye diseases. This condition occurs when the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent membrane of the eye that lines the sclera, becomes inflamed due to an infectious, allergic, or viral process.
If something defines conjunctivitis, it is that it is a very annoying disease. It causes uncomfortable symptoms and it is impossible that the discomfort does not interfere with the quality of life of the patient. Faced with such an unpleasant condition, the first thing the patient looks for is a fast and effective treatment, And fortunately this is possible!
Conjunctivitis, like many eye diseases, is treated through eye drop administration in the eye structure. The pharmacological content of these eye drops may vary depending on the cause of conjunctivitis: bacteria, virus or allergy. For this reason, depending on the conjunctivitis and its evolutionary state we can prescribe eye drops for conjunctivitis with or without a prescription.
Why is conjunctivitis treated with eye drops? Medications that are applied directly to the ocular structure can penetrate the innermost part of the eye, as well as spread throughout the entire structure. This allows the treatment of a disease such as conjunctivitis be more effective and alleviate symptoms and stop its progression much faster than with an orally administered drug.
Treatment of conjunctivitis according to type
As we mentioned earlier, eye drops that are used to treat conjunctivitis can vary depending on the type of conjunctivitis that the patient has. Below we explain how the different types of conjunctivitis:
Bacterial conjunctivitis
La bacterial conjunctivitis is the most frequent and it is caused by bacteria that trigger an infection in the ocular structure. For treat bacterial conjunctivitis it is necessary to use eye drops with antibiotic medications They help stop the growth of bacteria in the eye and thus cure the infection. The antibiotic used to treat conjunctivitis can vary depending on the infection and its severity.
Viral conjunctivitis
La viral conjunctivitis is a little lighter than the others and usually heals on its own, without the need for treatment, in 7 or 14 days. If viral conjunctivitis turns into a chronic condition, as can happen when the patient suffers from a herpes simplex virus, it will be necessary to prescribe specific antiviral medications for the cause of the disease.
Allergic conjunctivitis
La allergic conjunctivitis it is usually more frequent during the spring and summer months, due to the concentration of pollen present in the environment.
It can also be caused by dust mites, shrubs, and fungi. This type of conjunctivitis occurs when the eyes come into contact with an allergenic factor and the immune system overreacts by releasing histamine in the body.
Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with eye drops that contain antihistamine and vasoconstrictor medications sold by prescription only.
To treat all types of conjunctivitis, they are sometimes prescribed Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain relievers with the aim of relieving the patient's symptoms faster. We also recommend the application of cold compresses to relieve discomfort.
Cleanliness is a very important factor During the treatment of conjunctivitis, the cleaner we keep the eyes, the less risk there is of other bacteria penetrating the ocular structure and worsening the patient's clinical picture. Therefore, it is important to clean both eye structures with saline solution at least 5 times a day.
When to go to the ophthalmologist?
It's of vital importance go to the doctor when we feel unwell and, above all, it is essential do not self-medicate. There are many damages that we can avoid through an early diagnosis, even in a disease as common as conjunctivitis.
In the presence of conjunctivitis we must go to the ophthalmologist as soon as possible. As general advice, even if the patient does not present any symptoms, it is important check your eye structure at least once a year preventively. Thanks to prevention we can protect your ocular and visual system from complicated and chronic conditions, such as glaucoma.
Treating conjunctivitis may seem simple, but the importance of go to a trusted and responsible ophthalmologist, that he has knowledge about the newest treatments and that he is constantly updated.
