Red, irritated eyes caused by a bacterial infection will produce a sticky, yellow-green discharge that may be thicker than the discharge from viral conjunctivitis. When you wake up in the morning, your eyes may be matted shut by crusty discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis comes on quickly, within days of contact. The infection typically starts in one eye and soon spreads to the other.
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Many types of bacteria can cause conjunctivitis. And the bacteria can be contracted from many sources, for example, anyone with conjunctivitis or another type of infection. Bacteria can even be spread by someone without conjunctivitis. The germs are passed from person to person through infected body fluids or by hand-to-eye contact. Bacterial conjunctivitis is often associated with a cold. It's common in schools and other places where children congregate.
Treatment. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotics, usually in the form of eyedrops or ointment. For some types of bacteria, antibiotic pills may be given. Antibiotics should clear up the infection within 7 days. It's important to take the medication for as many days as your doctor has prescribed, even if symptoms disappear before the end of the treatment. This will prevent the infection from coming back.
Additional self-care for bacterial conjunctivitis is the same as that for viral conjunctivitis.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is not an infection. Rather it's a response to an allergen - a substance that can irritate your body. What may be an allergen for you may have no effect on someone else - everyone reacts to allergens differently. Common allergens include pollen, animal hair or dander (skin), dust, chemicals in products such as eyedrops, and some medications. Your body reacts to the allergen by releasing chemicals, such as histamine, that cause the allergy symptoms.
Allergic conjunctivitis, like the viral and bacterial forms, can make your eyes red, swollen and itchy. In addition, your eyes may water, you may have a runny nose, and you may sneeze a lot. It often affects both eyes at once.
Treatment. For conjunctivitis caused by an allergic reaction, treatment may clear up the inflammation quickly, or the symptoms may remain, depending on the allergic trigger. For example, conjunctivitis caused by hay fever can last a whole season and return every year. Treatment may only ease the discomfort.
Medications that may help relieve the symptoms include:
- Decongestive eyedrops can help whiten the eyes, but these drops shouldn't be used for prolonged periods, especially by people with glaucoma. However, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eyedrop such as ketorolac tromethamine (Acular) or diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) is safe if you have glaucoma.
- Allergy eyedrops that contain an antihistamine may help. Mild antihistamine eyedrops are available over-the-counter (OTC), but stronger ones require a prescription.
- OTC antihistamines in tablet form also reduce the discomfort of allergic conjunctivitis.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (enSAYDS), such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) also can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Steroid eyedrops may be prescribed for severe allergic conjunctivitis. Steroid drops must be used with caution because prolonged use can cause glaucoma or cataracts.
- Mast cell stabilizers can be used to prevent an allergic reaction. Mast cells, which make histamine, are highly concentrated in the conjunctiva. These medications suppress the release of histamine by preventing allergens from attaching to the mast cells.
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To ease the discomfort of allergic conjunctivitis, put a warm or cold compress over your eyes several times a day. You can use a washcloth or towel soaked in cold water or wrapped around ice. To find out more, you can check out Can Your Vision Improve.