Otitis

Conjunctivitis oi. Acute conjunctivitis: symptoms and treatment, from and to the problem

Conjunctivitis occurs for various reasons. But in any case, it is an unpleasant and often painful disease. Bacteria and viruses can cause chronic or acute conjunctivitis. The disease also appears due to allergies or for domestic reasons. This problem occurs in both children and adults. However, it is little patients who get sick most often. The disease can also be seasonal. It is often activated during the cold season. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs during the flowering period of plants.

Diagnosis and treatment of acute conjunctivitis is the prerogative of an ophthalmologist. But sometimes other specialists are brought in to make a diagnosis. It is necessary to undergo an external examination and pass certain tests. After analyzing the clinical picture and research results, the doctor prescribes treatment. Treatment for acute conjunctivitis depends on the causes of its occurrence. Treatment with antibiotics, antifungals and other drugs may be necessary.

Acute conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the mucous membrane of the eye or eyes. Depending on the nature of the disease, acute and chronic conjunctivitis are distinguished.

The disease is classified depending on the factors that contributed to the onset of the disease:

Acute viral conjunctivitis and adenoviral.
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
Acute conjunctivitis eye caused by chlamydia or fungi.
Exacerbation of allergic conjunctivitis, also atopic conjunctivitis.
Non-infectious.

Photo 3. Some plants provoke allergies

Non-infectious acute conjunctivitis of the eyes appears due to negative influence on the mucous membrane:

Prolonged irritation smoke or dust.
Contact with mucous membranes of chemicals or other toxic substances.
Direct impact sun rays.
Because of contact lenses, or rather violation of the rules of their operation.
Taking some medicines.

Symptoms of acute conjunctivitis

The development of acute conjunctivitis occurs at high speed. The time from infection to the onset of symptoms is several hours. Sometimes the process can take up to two days.

Photo 4. Conjunctivitis progresses rapidly

An acute infectious inflammatory process is accompanied by a general deterioration in the patient's condition. The etiology of inflammation of the conjunctiva does not matter. Such a symptom as general malaise has the following manifestations:

Body temperature is higher than normal;
Pain in the head, face;
Sleep disorders;

Other signs of the disease are partially different for different types conjunctivitis.

Photo 5. Body temperature rises

Symptoms of acute bacterial conjunctivitis:

At first inflammatory disease appears in one eye. Later, conjunctivitis affects both eyes.
The mucous membrane of the eye acquires signs of swelling.
Due to hyperemia, pronounced redness of the conjunctiva occurs.
Pain, cutting, and burning sensation appear.
Acidity of the eyes, appearance and discharge of pus from the mucous membrane.
Damage to the mucous membrane may be accompanied by hemorrhages.

Pinching of the conjunctiva while closing the eye.
The eye area becomes covered with a hard crust, which is formed by oozing pus.

Photo 6. Pain in the eyes

Diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis

Only an ophthalmologist can diagnose conjunctivitis or an exacerbation of conjunctivitis.

To diagnose the disease, the specialist carries out the following activities:

Anamnesis collection - whether there were contacts with other patients. Possible contact with allergens is also established. The patient's medical history and living conditions are studied.
The doctor listens to the patient's complaints;
Conducts an external examination of the eyeballs and mucous membranes.

Then it is necessary to establish the origin of the disease - its etiology. For this purpose, the following laboratory tests:

Cytological and bacteriological examination of patient samples.
Examination of the patient's tears or blood.
The sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics is determined.
For conjunctivitis of allergic origin, tests are carried out to identify the allergen.
Samples may need to be examined to identify subcutaneous mites.

Cytological examination is the study of the structural features of cells, cellular composition tissues, fluids and organs human body in normal conditions and in pathological processes using a microscope. The purpose of the study is to determine the type of lesions recorded, their benign or malignant nature.

Based on the results of tests and examinations, the doctor diagnoses the type of conjunctivitis.

Photo 9. Questioning the patient

Treatment of acute conjunctivitis

If conjunctivitis began suddenly, and you get medical care impossible:

Drop Albucid solution inside the eye (on the lower eyelid lapel). Or a solution of Levomycetin. The procedure is repeated at least 4 times during the day.
If the second eye is healthy, you can instill it too. This will prevent the disease. But you need to use a different pipette.
It is advisable to wear dark glasses during daylight hours.
Bandages, pads, and compresses are prohibited.

However, all these measures are not treatment. They are undertaken for a while until the patient gets to the doctor.

Most acute conjunctivitis is extremely contagious, and some of them even occur in the form of epidemics. In 73% of cases, inflammation of the conjunctiva has a bacterial etiology; allergic conjunctivitis occurs in 25% of patients. Doctors rarely detect other lesions - in only 2% of cases.

Classification

All conjunctivitis is divided into infectious and non-infectious. The causative agents of the former are bacteria, viruses, fungi and others pathogenic microorganisms. The latter develop under the influence of irritants external factors. Along with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, damage to the eyelids or cornea may occur. In that case we're talking about about blepharo- and keratoconjunctivitis.

There are also acute (lasts 1-3 weeks and has pronounced symptoms) and subacute conjunctivitis (less aggressive). Epidemic outbreaks most often occur in children's groups and cause quarantines.

Bacterial

It develops due to the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the conjunctival cavity. Harmful microorganisms can be introduced through dust, dirty water, or unwashed hands. The severity and duration of the disease depends on the type of pathogen, its virulence and the timeliness of medical care.

Pathogens acute purulent conjunctivitis:

streptococci and staphylococci;
pneumococci;
gonococci;
Koch-Wicks bacterium;
Corynebacterium diphtheria;
diplobacillus Morax-Axenfeld.

The most dangerous among bacterial conjunctivitis is diphtheria. Patients with this pathology must be immediately hospitalized in the infectious diseases department. Epidemic Koch-Wicks conjunctivitis usually occurs in the form of epidemics. Entire families or groups of children can get sick.

Viral

All acute viral conjunctivitis is extremely contagious. People can easily become infected from family members, colleagues, medical personnel. The infection is introduced into the eyes with untreated ophthalmological instruments, infected drops or unwashed hands of medical staff.

Most often, patients are diagnosed with:

Herpesviral conjunctivitis. Caused by a virus herpes simplex. It most often occurs in children and primarily affects one eye. It has an acute or subacute course, often combined with keratitis - damage to the cornea. It can occur in the form of catarrhal, follicular or vesicular ulcerative inflammation.
Spicy adenoviral conjunctivitis . The causative agents are adenoviruses types 3, 5 and 7. Infection occurs by airborne droplets or by contact. After infection, the patient develops pharyngoconjunctival fever or epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. The latter often occurs in the form of outbreaks in groups of children and adults.
Epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. The causative agents are enteroviruses. Massive hemorrhages form throughout the conjunctiva, making the eye appear completely swollen with blood.

Allergic

May develop against the background hypersensitivity to drugs, pollen or other substances. Often accompanied by cough, runny nose, and skin rash.

Types of allergic conjunctivitis:

medicinal – occurs when using certain anesthetics, antibiotics, sulfonamides;
hay fever - develops due to irritation of the conjunctiva by pollen from flowering plants;
acute atopic conjunctivitis - occurs in spring or summer, the etiology of the disease is still not fully understood.

Caused by the action of a mechanical or chemical irritant

Inflammation of the conjunctiva may occur after sand, dust, smoke or chemicals used in everyday life (soap, powder, bleach). It often develops after a walk in windy weather. Individuals who regularly wear contact lenses may experience giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Reasons

Acute and subacute conjunctivitis can develop due to infection or prolonged exposure to the eye various stimuli. The latter may be corrosive gases, smoke, pollen, chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, including reflected from the snow.

The development of infectious inflammation is facilitated by disruptions in work immune system, vitamin deficiency, metabolic disorders. A certain etiological role is played by hypothermia, stress, fatigue, and uncorrected refractive errors (,). The disease can develop if personal hygiene rules are not followed and misuse contact lenses.

Symptoms of acute conjunctivitis

The disease begins acutely with sharp pain, redness and swelling of the conjunctiva. All this may be preceded by contact with a sick person. Almost every conjunctivitis has its own specific symptoms.

Typical symptoms of bacterial, allergic, viral and other conjunctivitis:

redness of the eyes (characteristic of conjunctival injection of blood vessels);
lacrimation, and with concomitant damage to the cornea - photophobia;
feeling of sand or foreign body in the conjunctival cavity;
the formation of pathological discharge, which often causes eyelashes to stick together in the morning.

Spicy purulent conjunctivitis characterized by the appearance purulent discharge. For viral and allergic inflammation serous discharge is more typical. In some cases, follicles may form on the mucous membrane - round formations resembling bubbles.

Often, along with ocular manifestations, general symptoms. A person may suffer from catarrhal phenomena (inflammation of the upper respiratory tract), headache, high temperature and chills. There is often an increase in the preauricular and/or submandibular lymph nodes. Systemic manifestations especially pronounced in children.

Diagnostics

Inflammation of the conjunctiva can be suspected based on the patient’s complaints and the appearance of typical symptoms. Often, an ophthalmologist can recognize the disease during a slit-lamp examination. Before treating acute conjunctivitis, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and establish the etiology of the disease.

General blood test

Allows you to find out the etiology (cause) of the disease. For example, with bacterial inflammation in general analysis neutrophilic leukocytosis and increase in ESR, with a virus – lymphocytosis. Acute atopic and other allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by an increase in the level of eosinophils in the blood. Unfortunately, this research is not always sufficiently informative.

Culture of discharge from the eye

If an infectious inflammation is suspected, a smear is taken from the patient’s conjunctival cavity or a scraping is made. For bacterial conjunctivitis, bacterioscopic and bacteriological research methods are quite informative. In the first case, the smear is stained and examined under a microscope, in the second, the biomaterial is sown on nutrient media.

Sowing allows not only to identify the pathogen, but also to determine its sensitivity to antibiotics. However, the study is not informative for viral lesions of the conjunctiva. In this case, virological methods are indicated.

Fluorography

The study is necessary for phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis. The disease can be caused by staphylococci, chlamydia and mycobacterium tuberculosis. Fluorography in this case is carried out to exclude pulmonary tuberculosis. Additionally shown tuberculin tests and consultation with a phthisiatrician.

Ultrasound of internal organs

Required if you suspect serious illnesses internal organs. Performed for chlamydial, gonorrheal and some other types of conjunctivitis. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs has great value in the diagnosis of obstruction fallopian tubes in women.

Treatment

Treatment of the disease should be carried out by a qualified ophthalmologist and include etiological and symptomatic therapy. First of all, the patient is prescribed medications that destroy infectious agents.

Treatment of acute conjunctivitis may include the following drugs:

Solution of Furacilin, Rivanol, boric acid, chamomile decoction. Used to wash the conjunctival cavity when it is inflamed.
Antibacterial ointments and drops - Floxal, Neomycin, Lincomycin, 1% tetracycline or erythromycin ointment. Shown when purulent inflammation conjunctiva.
Antiviral agents, interferons and their inducers - drops Poludan, Okoferon, Ophthalmoferon, Actipol, 5% Acyclovir eye ointment. Their appointment is required by acute viral conjunctivitis.
0.5-1% solution of zinc sulfate or 1-5% ointment containing zinc oxide. Used for diplobacillary (angular) conjunctivitis.
Antiallergic eye drops - Lecrolin, Cromohexal, Allergodil. Indicated for allergic conjunctivitis.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Indocollir, Nevanac. Prescribed for severe inflammation and severe pain. Excellent help to remove unpleasant symptoms.

Forecast

Uncomplicated bacterial conjunctivitis usually resolves in 5-7 days without any symptoms negative consequences. If the pathogen is highly aggressive, the disease may drag on for a couple of weeks. Viral inflammation lasts longer - on average 2-3 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis can go away in a few days or last for months, or even years.

The most severe and dangerous are chlamydial, gonococcal and diphtheria conjunctivitis. As a rule, they are treated for several months and lead to severe complications. If the cornea is damaged, the prognosis for vision is extremely unfavorable.

Prevention

Following the rules of personal hygiene and correct use contact lenses. It is very important for children to wash their hands regularly, especially after playing in the yard. If possible, contact with persons who have signs of inflammation of the conjunctiva should be avoided. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor - this will help avoid unwanted consequences.

Acute conjunctivitis in children

Children most often develop acute adenoviral, bacterial, measles and allergic conjunctivitis. In newborns, the eyes may be damaged by chlamydia and gonococci. These two diseases are extremely difficult and often lead to complete or partial loss of vision.

Most acute conjunctivitis has bacterial nature and with adequate treatment they disappear within a week. However, in some cases, inflammation of the conjunctiva may have serious consequences and even lead to blindness. Therefore, only an ophthalmologist should treat the disease.

Some conjunctivitis (especially viral and caused by the Koch-Wicks bacterium) are highly contagious and often occur in epidemics. Disease outbreaks most often occur in children's groups.

Useful video about conjunctivitis

– polyetiological inflammatory lesion of the conjunctiva – the mucous membrane covering inner surface eyelid and sclera. Various shapes conjunctivitis occurs with hyperemia and swelling of the transitional folds and eyelids, mucous or purulent discharge from the eyes, lacrimation, burning and itching in the eyes, etc. Diagnosis of conjunctivitis is carried out by an ophthalmologist and includes: external examination, biomicroscopy, instillation test with fluorescein, bacteriological examination smear from the conjunctiva, cytological, immunofluorescence, immunoenzyme study of scrapings from the conjunctiva, additional consultations (infectious diseases specialist, dermatovenerologist, ENT, phthisiatrician, allergist) according to indications. Treatment of conjunctivitis is predominantly local medicinal with the use of eye drops and ointments, washing the conjunctival sac, subconjunctival injections.

ICD-10

H10

General information

Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease - they account for about 30% of all eye pathologies. The frequency of inflammatory lesions of the conjunctiva is associated with its high reactivity to various exogenous and endogenous factors, as well as the accessibility of the conjunctival cavity to unfavorable conditions. external influences. The term “conjunctivitis” in ophthalmology unites etiologically heterogeneous diseases that occur with inflammatory changes mucous membrane of the eyes. The course of conjunctivitis can be complicated by blepharitis, keratitis, dry eye syndrome, entropion, scarring of the eyelids and cornea, corneal perforation, hypopyon, decreased visual acuity, etc.

The conjunctiva performs protective function and, due to its anatomical position, is constantly in contact with many external irritants - dust particles, air, microbial agents, chemical and temperature influences, bright light, etc. Normally, the conjunctiva has a smooth, moist surface, pink; it is transparent, vessels and meibomian glands are visible through it; The conjunctival secretion resembles a tear. With conjunctivitis, the mucous membrane becomes cloudy, rough, and scars may form on it.

Classification

All conjunctivitis is divided into exogenous and endogenous. Endogenous lesions of the conjunctiva are secondary, arising against the background of other diseases (natural and chickenpox, rubella, measles, hemorrhagic fever, tuberculosis, etc.). Exogenous conjunctivitis occurs as an independent pathology with direct contact of the conjunctiva with an etiological agent.

Depending on the course, chronic, subacute and acute conjunctivitis are distinguished. By clinical form Conjunctivitis can be catarrhal, purulent, fibrinous (membranous), follicular.

Due to inflammation there are:

conjunctivitis bacterial etiology(pneumococcal, diphtheria, diplobacillary, gonococcal (gonoblenorrhea), etc.)
conjunctivitis of chlamydial etiology (paratrachoma, trachoma)
conjunctivitis viral etiology(adenoviral, herpetic, with viral infections, molluscum contagiosum, etc.)
conjunctivitis of fungal etiology (with actinomycosis, sporotrichosis, rhinosporadiasis, coccidiosis, aspergillosis, candidiasis, etc.)
conjunctivitis of allergic and autoimmune etiology (with hay fever, spring catarrh, conjunctival pemphigus, atopic eczema, demodicosis, gout, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome)
conjunctivitis traumatic etiology(thermal, chemical)
metastatic conjunctivitis in common diseases.

Reasons

Bacterial conjunctivitis, as a rule, arise from infection through contact and household contact. At the same time, bacteria begin to multiply on the mucous membrane, which are normally small in number or not at all part of the normal conjunctival microflora. The toxins released by bacteria cause a pronounced inflammatory reaction. The most common causative agents of bacterial conjunctivitis are staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In some cases, eye infection with pathogens of gonorrhea, syphilis, and diphtheria is possible.
Viral conjunctivitis can be transmitted through household contact or airborne droplets and are highly contagious diseases. Acute pharyngoconjunctival fever is caused by adenoviruses types 3, 4, 7; epidemic keratoconjunctivitis- adenoviruses 8 and 19 types. Viral conjunctivitis can be etiologically related to herpes simplex viruses, herpes zoster, chickenpox, measles, enteroviruses, etc.
Viral and bacterial Conjunctivitis in children is often accompanied by diseases of the nasopharynx, otitis media, and sinusitis. In adults, conjunctivitis can develop against the background of chronic blepharitis, dacryocystitis, and dry eye syndrome.
Development of chlamydial conjunctivitis newborns is associated with infection of the child during passage through birth canal mother. In sexually active women and men, chlamydial eye damage is often combined with diseases genitourinary system(in men - with urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, in women - with cervicitis, vaginitis).
Fungal conjunctivitis can be caused by actinomycetes, molds, yeast-like and other types of fungi.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by the body's hypersensitivity to any antigen and in most cases serves as a local manifestation of a systemic allergic reaction. Reasons allergic manifestations may include medications, nutritional (nutritional) factors, helminths, household chemicals, plant pollen, demodex mite, etc.
Non-infectious conjunctivitis may occur due to eye irritation by chemical and physical factors, smoke (including tobacco), dust, ultraviolet radiation; metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiencies, ametropia (farsightedness, myopia), etc.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis

Specific manifestations of conjunctivitis depend on the etiological form of the disease. However, the course of conjunctivitis of various origins is characterized by a number of common features. These include: swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the eyelids and transitional folds; discharge of mucous or purulent secretion from the eyes; itching, burning, lacrimation; sensation of “sand” or foreign body in the eye; photophobia, blepharospasm. Often the main symptom of conjunctivitis is the inability to open the eyelids in the morning due to their gluing with dried discharge. With the development of adenoviral or ulcerative keratitis, visual acuity may decrease. With conjunctivitis, as a rule, both eyes are affected: sometimes inflammation occurs in them alternately and proceeds with to varying degrees expressiveness.

Acute conjunctivitis manifests suddenly with pain and burning in the eyes. Against the background of conjunctival hyperemia, hemorrhages are often observed. Conjunctival injection of the eyeballs and swelling of the mucous membrane are evident; copious mucous, mucopurulent or purulent secretion is released from the eyes. In acute conjunctivitis, general well-being is often disturbed: malaise appears, headache, body temperature rises. Acute conjunctivitis can last from one to two to three weeks.

Subacute conjunctivitis is characterized by less severe symptoms than the acute form of the disease. The development of chronic conjunctivitis occurs gradually, and the course is persistent and long-lasting. There is discomfort and sensations of a foreign body in the eyes, rapid eye fatigue, moderate hyperemia and looseness of the conjunctiva, which takes on a velvety appearance. Against the background of chronic conjunctivitis, keratitis often develops.

A specific manifestation of conjunctivitis of bacterial etiology is a purulent, opaque, viscous discharge of a yellowish or greenish color. Noted pain syndrome, dry eyes and skin periorbital region.

Viral conjunctivitis often occurs against the background of upper respiratory tract infections and is accompanied by moderate lacrimation, photophobia and blepharospasm, scanty mucous discharge, submandibular or parotid lymphadenitis. With some types of viral eye infections, follicles form on the mucous membrane of the eyes ( follicular conjunctivitis) or pseudomembranes (membranous conjunctivitis).

Allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs with severe itching, pain in the eyes, lacrimation, swelling of the eyelids, sometimes allergic rhinitis and cough, atopic eczema.

The clinical features of fungal conjunctivitis are determined by the type of fungus. With actinomycosis, catarrhal or purulent conjunctivitis develops; with blastomycosis - filmy with grayish or yellowish films that are easily removable. Candidiasis is characterized by the formation of nodules consisting of accumulations of epithelioid and lymphoid cells; aspergillosis occurs with hyperemia of the conjunctiva and damage to the cornea.

With conjunctivitis caused by the toxic effects of chemicals, severe pain when moving your gaze, blinking, trying to open or close your eyes.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis is carried out by an ophthalmologist based on complaints and clinical manifestations. To clarify the etiology of conjunctivitis, anamnesis data are important: contact with patients, allergens, existing diseases, connection with the change of season, exposure sunlight etc. External inspection reveals hyperemia and swelling of the conjunctiva, injection eyeball, presence of discharge.

To establish the etiology of conjunctivitis, laboratory tests are performed: cytological examination of a scraping or fingerprint smear, bacteriological examination of a smear from the conjunctiva, determination of the titer of antibodies (IgA and IgG) to the suspected pathogen in tear fluid or blood serum, and testing for demodex. For allergic conjunctivitis, they resort to skin-allergic, nasal, conjunctival, sublingual tests.

If conjunctivitis of a specific etiology is detected, it may be necessary to rinse the conjunctival cavity medicinal solutions, instillation of medications, application of eye ointments, performing subconjunctival injections.

In case of conjunctivitis, it is forbidden to apply bandages to the eyes, since they impair the evacuation of discharge and can contribute to the development of keratitis. To avoid autoinfection, it is recommended to wash your hands more often, use disposable towels and napkins, separate pipettes and eye sticks for each eye.

Before administering drugs into the conjunctival cavity, local anesthesia eyeball with novocaine solution (lidocaine, trimecaine), then wash the ciliary edges of the eyelids, conjunctiva and eyeball with antiseptics (furacilin solution, potassium permanganate). Before obtaining information about the etiology of conjunctivitis, eye drops of 30% sulfacetamide solution are instilled into the eyes and placed overnight eye ointment.

When identifying the bacterial etiology of conjunctivitis, gentamicin sulfate is used topically in the form of drops and eye ointment, erythromycin eye ointment. For the treatment of viral conjunctivitis, virusostatic and viruscidal agents are used: trifluridine, idoxuridine, leukocyte interferon in the form of instillations and acyclovir - topically, in the form of an ointment, and orally. To prevent joining bacterial infection may be appointed antimicrobials.

If chlamydial conjunctivitis is detected, except local treatment, systemic administration of doxycycline, tetracycline or erythromycin is indicated. Therapy for allergic conjunctivitis includes the prescription of vasoconstrictor and antihistamine drops, corticosteroids, tear substitutes, and desensitizing drugs. For conjunctivitis of fungal etiology, antimycotic ointments and instillations (levorin, nystatin, amphotericin B, etc.) are prescribed.

Prevention

Timely and adequate therapy conjunctivitis allows you to achieve recovery without consequences for visual function. In case of secondary damage to the cornea, vision may decrease. The main prevention of conjunctivitis is compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements in medical and educational institutions, compliance with personal hygiene standards, timely isolation of patients with viral lesions, carrying out anti-epidemic measures.

Prevention of chlamydial and gonococcal conjunctivitis in newborns involves treatment of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea in pregnant women. If you are prone to allergic conjunctivitis, preventive local and general desensitizing therapy is necessary on the eve of the expected exacerbation.

Acute conjunctivitis is common in children and adults, which is diagnosed in 30% of cases. This is an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the eyes. The reason is various factors, but more often it is an infection and allergy. The first symptoms appear immediately, signaling inflammation: swelling, redness, discharge of pus. The increase leads to deterioration of vision. Diagnosis and treatment are carried out by an ophthalmologist. Medicines are prescribed in accordance with the etiology of the process.

Conjunctivitis usually affects one eye, but then spreads to the other. With adequate treatment, the process can be stopped.

Etiology

Eye conjunctivitis develops as a result of exposure to pathogenic factors on the mucous membrane of the organ. Local microflora contains some microorganisms, but under the influence of certain conditions the amount of harmful elements increases and an inflammatory process develops. Bacteria, viruses and fungi can develop an acute form. The most common route of transmission of infection is through household contact. Provoking factors are:

temperature effects on the body (hypothermia or overheating);
getting into the cavity visual organ foreign body;
mechanical damage to the conjunctiva;
exposure to chemical substances on the mucous membrane;
inflammatory pathologies of the nasopharynx;
helminthic infestations;
chronic ophthalmological processes.

Very often poplar fluff causes discomfort in humans.

Eat special kind diseases - acute conjunctivitis allergic type. Inflammation develops under the influence of an allergen. Cosmetic and cosmetic products can trigger a reaction. detergents, poplar fluff, medications. The disease manifests itself with a number of symptoms and is difficult to treat. First of all, you need to avoid contact, and then fight the signs of inflammation on the mucous membrane.

Possible symptoms

Conjunctivitis in adults and children has the same manifestations, but in young patients it occurs 3 times more often. It is worth denouncing the symptoms of acute and chronic form illness - in the first case there is rapid development and more extensive symptom complex. Full clinical picture acute conjunctivitis includes the following symptoms:

feeling of “sand” in the eyes;
pain and discomfort;
purulent discharge that leads to eyelids sticking together, especially at night;
uncontrolled tearing;
redness of the conjunctiva and edges of the eyelids;
increased body temperature;
headache and malaise.

Features in children

IN childhood It is viruses that cause diseases of the organs of vision.

Children's mucous membrane is very sensitive, so the disease in childhood is considered more dangerous. Most often, the disease develops at this age against the background of an allergy or viral infection. If a child is diagnosed with conjunctivitis, treatment must be started immediately. However, before consulting a doctor, you should not do anything on your own.

Conjunctivitis in children has a number of distinctive symptoms. Firstly, there is severe hyperemia on the eyelids and swelling, which greatly complicates vision. Secondly, in children multiple pinpoint hemorrhages are possible, so the eyes look red. At the same time, in young patients, body temperature almost always rises to high levels.

Treatment of acute conjunctivitis in children also has a number of differences. A protracted illness is often diagnosed, so therapy should be carried out throughout the entire period. But it is not recommended to use aggressive drugs for children. You should regularly wipe your eyes with a special antibacterial wipe. Among the many drops, the drug “Albucid” is considered completely safe for children. The child needs to be prepared for the fact that the drops sting a little when they get into the eyes.

Another difference childhood conjunctivitis is the formation of a film before the eyes. It prevents the child from looking, so it must be carefully removed with a swab.

Diagnostic measures

An obligatory part of the examination of the child is an examination of the fundus.

Treatment in adults and children necessarily begins with an examination by an ophthalmologist and determination accurate diagnosis. The doctor examines the fundus of the eye using a slit lamp. This method may be sufficient. In addition, the ophthalmologist needs to study a complete history and features of the development of inflammation. To confirm conjunctivitis and determine its etiology, a series of special research: The drug Visin Alergy can be used in the treatment of such pathology.

Antihistamine drops when diagnosing allergies - “Opatanol”, “Histimet” (from 12 years old), “Allergodil”, “Vizin Alerzhdi”. Or one of these - “Lecrolin”, “Cromohexal”, “Allergodil”.
Preparations based on interferon in case of viral infection - “Poludan”, “Okoferon”, “Ophthalmoferon”, “Aktipol”, “Acyclovir” (5% ointment).
Antibacterial drops for infection - “Floxal”, “Neomycin”, “Lincomycin”, as well as 1% ointments - tetracycline or erythromycin.
Vitamins for enhancement general level immunity.
Wash solutions - “Furacilin”, “Rivanol”, boric acid, chamomile decoction.
Medicines for angular conjunctivitis - 0.5-1% solution of zinc sulfate, 1-5% ointment with zinc oxide.

Steroid drugs are not recommended for use, they can be addictive. In case frequent relapses is being developed individual scheme treatment and strong antibiotics are prescribed. Symptomatic treatment not required, traces of inflammation disappear on their own after eliminating the bacteria. Do not forget that conjunctivitis is a contagious disease, so during the treatment process it is better to limit contact with healthy people.

Conjunctivitis is a fairly common eye disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes (conjunctiva). The disease develops as a result of a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, which determines the clinical picture of the disease. In addition, the disease can develop as a result of an allergic reaction, dust on the mucous membrane, overheating and other factors.

Depending on the nature of the flow pathological process highlight:

acute conjunctivitis (characterized by a sharp manifestation of symptoms);
subacute conjunctivitis (clinical signs appear less sharply, their intensity is lower);
chronic conjunctivitis (develops gradually and lasts a long time).

These forms of the disease differ clinical symptoms and the likelihood of complications.

The subacute form of the disease can be caused by pneumococcal, streptococcal, gonococcal, or diphtheria infections. Among the pathogens inflammatory process there may also be a Koch-Wicks wand and a Morax-Axenfeld wand. Inflammation caused by Morax-Axenfeld bacillus is most often characterized by subacute course.

Clinical signs of bacterial subacute inflammation conjunctivae are:

fear of light (occurs painful sensations caused by bright light);
hyperemia and sometimes swelling of the conjunctiva, sclera, eyelids and transitional fold;
feeling of a foreign object in the eyes, eye fatigue;
the formation of mucous and mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, which leads to sticking of the eyelids, especially in the morning;
lacrimation.

Pathological changes can also affect the cornea. First, one eye is affected (subacute conjunctivitis of one eye), and then the second (subacute conjunctivitis of both eyes).

Conjunctivitis can develop due to an allergic reaction, dust on the mucous membrane, overheating and other factors.

The most common causative agent of subacute inflammation of the conjunctiva is the Moracas-Axenfeld bacillus. Clinical signs of the disease are moderate redness of the conjunctiva and skin of the eyelids and small mucous discharge.

Other pathogens that can cause disease are bacteria of the genus Streptococcus (S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae), bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, Haemophilus influenza, gonococci. These pathogenic bacteria, especially pyogenic strains, contribute to the formation of purulent discharge.

Promote development infectious process general weakening of the immune system, hypothermia, intense insolation (exposure to sunlight).

Treatment

Treatment for the disease is prescribed by an ophthalmologist. The treatment strategy for bacterial subacute conjunctivitis is based on the use of eye drops or ointments that contain antibiotics. Such drugs are prescribed in case of very intense purulent discharge and absence of clinical signs adenovirus infection(formation of follicles on the mucous membrane of the eyes, enlargement of lymph nodes).

Bacterial inflammation does not always require antibiotics. To treat Moracas-Axenfeld conjunctivitis, a zinc sulfate solution is used. The same remedy is used to prevent the disease after a course of treatment. Correct therapy and timely provides full recovery. Lack of treatment can lead to the transition of the subacute form of the disease to chronic, which can last for years.

Conjunctivitis of viral etiology

At viral conjunctivitis First one eye is affected, and then the other eye. General clinical signs are similar to those of bacterial conjunctivitis (photophobia, mucous discharge from the eyes, redness and swelling of the mucous membrane of the eyes and eyelids, lacrimation). These symptoms may include a cough, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, runny nose, and signs of malaise.

The feeling of a foreign object in the eyes and eye fatigue may indicate the onset of conjunctivitis.

In subacute conjunctivitis, such symptoms are moderate and disappear after a course of treatment. In the case when their intensity increases, they speak of acute form diseases. In most cases, inflammation of the conjunctiva of viral etiology begins acutely.

The most common pathogens are adenoviruses and herpesviruses.

To treat inflammation it is prescribed antiviral drops for the eyes. To prevent the development of a bacterial infection, antimicrobial drugs (ointments or eye drops) are prescribed. To reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and eyelids, drops or ointments containing glucocorticosteroids are used.

Disease of fungal etiology

The causative agents of the inflammatory process are fungi that enter the mucous membrane of the eye from the soil, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or from an already sick person or animal. Clinical signs diseases depend on the type of fungus:

actinomycosis – purulent catarrhal form of conjunctivitis;
blastomycosis – formation of films of gray or yellow, which are easily removed;
candidiasis - the appearance of infiltrates from epithelial cells and lymphoid cells;
aspergillosis - redness of the mucous membrane and damage to the cornea.

Conjunctivitis occurs against the background of fungal keratitis. The course of the disease caused by fungi is subacute or chronic.

Conjunctivitis occurs against the background of fungal keratitis.

The penetration of fungal infection into the mucous membrane of the eye is facilitated by:

microtraumas and radiation burns of the conjunctiva;
fungal blepharitis;
violation of the rules for the use of contact lenses, their storage and use.

Among the external factors, high humidity and dust in the air and unsatisfactory sanitary conditions are of great importance.

People at risk include people with diabetes, fungal skin diseases, and patients who have been receiving antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids for a long time.

Therapy

Therapy for fungal conjunctivitis is long-term and systemic with the use of fungicidal and fungistatic drugs. The most commonly used are nystatin, amphotericin B, natamycin, and nystatin ointment. An important place in treatment is occupied by eye drops prepared extemporaneously. For additional treatment, vitamin receptor blockers, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

The course of treatment lasts up to 6 weeks and is under the mandatory supervision of a doctor.

Prevention

Preventive measures include regular hand washing, use of individual towels and disposable wipes. It is important to avoid contact with people who have conjunctivitis, and also avoid touching your eyes. with dirty hands. In cold windy weather and other unfavorable conditions weather conditions It is worth protecting your eyes with a hat or glasses.

Jun 15, 2017 Anastasia Tabalina