Understanding Conjunctivitis; Causes and Effective Treatments
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye," is a frequent and often bothersome eye condition that causes redness and inflammation. While rarely serious, it is highly contagious in some forms and can cause significant discomfort. As your trusted pharmacy in Cardiff, Hopwoods Pharmacy is here to help you understand the different types of conjunctivitis, how to treat them, and when you need to seek professional help.What are the three main types of conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is essentially the inflammation of the conjunctiva—the thin, clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. It typically falls into three main categories:
Viral Conjunctivitis:
Cause: Usually caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold.
Symptoms: Often presents with watery, red eyes, and a gritty feeling. It frequently starts in one eye and spreads quickly to the other.
Contagious: Contagious.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis:
Cause: Caused by bacterial infection.
Symptoms: Characterised by a sticky, yellow or greenish discharge that can cause the eyelids to stick together, especially after sleeping.
Contagious: Highly contagious.
Allergic Conjunctivitis:
Cause: Triggered by allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites.
Symptoms: Presents with intense itching, watering, and swelling, often affecting both eyes simultaneously. It is usually seasonal or occurs after specific exposure to an allergen.
Contagious: Not contagious.
How do you treat conjunctivitis?
The treatment for conjunctivitis depends entirely on the type you have:
Viral: There is no specific treatment. Management focuses on symptom relief and preventing spread. Use a cool compress to soothe the eye and practice strict hygiene (frequent hand washing, not sharing towels) to prevent transmission.
Bacterial: This often requires treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointments, available after a consultation with a pharmacist or doctor.
Allergic: The best approach is to avoid the allergen. Treatment involves over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops and oral antihistamines to reduce itching and swelling. A cool compress can also provide relief.
When should I see an optician?
Some symptoms require immediate professional attention to rule out more serious eye conditions. If you develop any of the following symptoms we would recommend booking with your optician to be seen via the Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) service which provides urgent eye assessment and care for acute problems.
Pain: If you experience moderate to severe eye pain.
Vision Changes: If your vision is affected, such as blurriness or increased light sensitivity.
Intense Redness: If the redness is exceptionally deep or concentrated, especially around the iris (the coloured part of the eye).
Worsening Symptoms: If symptoms do not improve after a few days of appropriate treatment, or if they worsen
As your local pharmacy in Cardiff, the expert team at Hopwoods Pharmacy can assess your symptoms and advise on the most suitable course of action. We can recommend and supply treatments where appropriate or refer you to an optician or GP if necessary. Don't conjuncitivitis disrupt your routine—visit us for fast, professional advice.