What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (conjunctiva). It is very common.
People often refer to conjunctivitis as red eye.
Other symptoms of conjunctivitis include itchiness and watering of the eyes, and sometimes a sticky coating on the eyelashes (if it's caused by an allergy). Read more about the
.Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes.
What causes conjunctivitis?
The conjunctiva can become inflamed as result of:
- a bacterial or viral infection – this is known as infective conjunctivitis
- an allergic reaction to a substance such as pollen or dust mites – this is known as allergic conjunctivitis
- the eye coming into contact with substances that can irritate the conjunctiva, such as chlorinated water or shampoo, or a loose eyelash rubbing against the eye – this is known as irritant conjunctivitis
Read more about the
.Treating conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis often doesn't require treatment as the symptoms usually clear up within a couple of weeks. If treatment is thought necessary, the type of treatment will depend on the cause but in most cases antibiotic eye drops can be used to clear the infection.
Irritant conjunctivitis will clear up as soon as whatever is causing it is removed.
Allergic conjunctivitis can usually be treated with anti-allergy medications such as antihistamines. If possible, avoid the substance that triggered the allergy.
It's best not to wear contact lenses until the symptoms have cleared up. Any sticky or crusty coating on the eyelids or lashes can be cleansed with cotton wool and water.
Washing your hands regularly and avoiding sharing pillows or towels will help prevent it spreading.
Read more about
.See your doctor immediately if you have:
- eye pain
- sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- disturbed vision
- intense redness in one or both of your eyes
- a newborn baby with conjunctivitis
Do you need to stay away from work or school?
The Health Protection Agency advises that you do not need to stay away from work or school if you or your child has conjunctivitis, unless you are feeling particularly unwell.
If there are a number of cases of conjunctivitis at one school or nursery, you may be advised to keep your child away from the school until their infection has cleared up.
Complications
Conjunctivitis can be a frustrating condition – especially allergic conjunctivitis – but in most cases it doesn't pose a serious threat to health.
Complications of conjunctivitis are very rare but when they do occur they can be serious, such as:
- a severe case of allergic conjunctivitis can lead to scarring in the eye
- in cases of infective conjunctivitis the infection can spread to other areas of the body, triggering more serious secondary infections such as meningitis (an infection of the outer layer of the brain)
Read more about the
.Conjunctivitis symptoms
The symptoms of conjunctivitis will depend of the cause, but the general symptoms include:
- eye redness: this happens as a result of the inflammation and widening of the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva (thin layer of cells that covers the front of the eyes)
- watering eyes: the conjunctiva contains thousands of cells that produce mucus and tiny glands that produce tears – inflammation causes the glands to become overactive, so that they water more than usual
Infective conjunctivitis
If you have infective conjunctivitis you may also have:
- a burning sensation in your eyes
- a feeling of grit in your eyes
- a sticky coating on the eyelashes – usually when you first wake in the morning
- an enlarged lymph node in front of the ear
Allergic conjunctive
You may also have itchy eyes if you have allergic conjunctivitis.
The pattern of symptoms for allergic conjunctivitis depends on the substance you are allergic to.
Allergies to pollen (
) occur during certain parts of the year. You can have an allergy to:- tree pollen, released during spring
- grass pollen, released during the end of spring and beginning of summer
- weed pollen, released any time from early spring to late autumn
It is highly likely that the pollen will also cause other symptoms such as sneezing and a runny or blocked nose.
Allergies to dust mites or animal fur cause symptoms throughout the year. Both eyes are usually affected and you may find the symptoms worse in the morning.
Some people develop an allergy to eye drops. This is known as contact dermatoconjunctivitis and can also affect your eyelids, causing them to become dry and sore.
Some people are allergic to wearing contact lenses, which is known as giant papillary conjunctivitis. The symptoms progress much more slowly and you may also develop small spots on the inside of your upper eyelids. This type of conjunctivitis carries a high risk of complications so you need to get medical advice.
When to seek medical advice
Most case of conjunctivitis are not a cause for concern but contact your doctor if you think you have it – especially if you think the conjunctivitis is related to wearing contact lenses.
Your doctor will be able to check whether there is a more serious underlying cause of your symptoms.
When to seek immediate medical advice
The following symptoms could be the sign of a more serious eye condition:
- pain in your eyes
- sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- disturbed vision
- intense redness in one or both of your eyes
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. If this isn't possible, visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
Glossary
Conjunctiva The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane (thin layer of cells) that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surfaces of the eyelids. Immune system The immune system is the body's defence system, which helps protect it from disease, bacteria and viruses. Inflammation Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area. Respiratory tract The respiratory tract is a general term that is used to describe all the parts of the body that are involved in helping a person to breathe.
Conjunctivitis causes
Conjunctivitis is a condition that occurs when the conjunctiva (a thin layer of cells covering the front of your eyes) becomes inflamed.
The three most common causes of this inflammation are:
- infection (infective conjunctivitis)
- an allergic reaction (allergic conjunctivitis)
- something irritating the conjunctiva, such as a loose eyelash (irritant conjunctivitis)
These are discussed in more detail below.
Infective conjunctivitis
Eye infections are most commonly caused by:
- bacteria, for example the strains of bacteria that more commonly cause lung and ear infections
- a virus, most commonly an adenovirus that may also cause a sore throat and high temperature (fever)
- such as or
There are no particular signs or symptoms that will allow your doctor to distinguish between a bacterial or viral cause of infective conjunctivitis. If your condition is does not heal quickly, an eye swab will determine the cause of the infection (read more about
).Spreading the infection
You are more likely to develop infective conjunctivitis if you have been in close contact with someone who is already infected with it.
It is therefore very important to wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with anyone who has infective conjunctivitis. Don't share pillows or towels with anyone with the infection.
Risk groups
You may be more at risk of infective conjunctivitis if:
- You are old or young: the condition is more common in children and the elderly, possibly because children come into contact with more infections at school and elderly people may have a weaker immune system.
- You have recently had an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a .
- You have diabetes or another condition that weakens your immune system (as you may be more prone to infections).
- You are taking (steroids), as this medication can weaken your immune system.
- You have (inflammation of the rims of the eyelids), which can be caused by a bacterial infection and may lead to conjunctivitis.
- You have been in a crowded place, such as a busy train.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused when your eyes come into contact with an allergen. An allergen is a particular substance that causes your immune system to react abnormally. This is known as an allergic reaction.
There are four main types of allergic conjunctivitis:
- seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
- perennial allergic conjunctivitis
- contact dermatoconjunctivitis
- giant papillary conjunctivitis
Seasonal and perennial conjunctivitis
Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis are usually caused by:
- pollen from grass, trees or flowers
- dust mites
- flakes of dead animal skin
These types of conjunctivitis are more common among people who also have other allergies, such as
, and often occur with (an allergy that affects the nose, causing sneezing and a blocked or runny nose).Contact dermatoconjunctivitis
Contact dermatoconjunctivitis is usually caused by eye drops, but it can also be caused by make-up or chemicals.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis
Giant papillary conjunctivitis is caused by:
- contact lenses
- stitches (sutures) used in eye surgery
- a prostheses (artificial) part of the eye that is fitted during eye surgery
Giant papillary conjunctivitis is estimated to affect around 1%-5% of people who use soft contact lenses and 1% of people who use hard contact lenses.
Irritant conjunctivitis
Irritant conjunctivitis can have a wide range of potential causes. Some common causes include:
- chlorinated water used in swimming baths
- shampoo
- a stray eyelash rubbing against the conjunctiva
- smoke or fumes
Glossary
Bacteria Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and others are good for you. Conjunctiva The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane (thin layer of cells) that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surfaces of the eyelids. Immune system The immune system is the body's defence system, which helps protect it from disease, bacteria and viruses. Inflammation Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area. Respiratory tract The respiratory tract is a general term that is used to describe all the parts of the body involved in helping a person to breathe.
Diagnosing conjunctivitis
Your pharmacist should be able to diagnose conjunctivitis by asking about your symptoms and looking at your eyes.
It can be helpful to describe how your conjunctivitis started, as this will help them work out which type it is, and whether it can or needs to be treated with medicines from a pharmacy.
The most common symptoms of infective conjunctivitis are sticky, red and watery eyes. However, infective conjunctivitis can sometimes be confused with other types of conjunctivitis, which are treated differently.
Swab test
If your conjunctivitis doesn't get better with self-care after 2 weeks, see your doctor. They may suggest further tests (such as a swab test) to help decide what treatment to use.
A swab looks similar to a small cotton bud. It's used to collect a small sample of mucus from your infected eye, which is sent to a laboratory to find out the cause of your conjunctivitis.
Find out more about
.If your symptoms are severe or do not respond to treatment, you may need to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Other conditions
Most cases of conjunctivitis clear within one to two weeks, sometimes sooner, without needing any medical treatment.
If you have any unusual symptoms such as severe pain, blurred vision or sensitivity to light, these may mean that you have a more serious condition.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is very important to seek medical assistance immediately, either by contacting your doctor or visiting a hospital.
Other more serious conditions include:
- Acute glaucoma: this rare form of causes a painful build-up of pressure in your eye.
- Keratitis: this is when your cornea (the clear layer at the front of your eye) becomes swollen and develops open sores.
- Iritis: this is a type of (swelling of the middle layer of your eye) that causes pain, headaches and watery eyes.
Newborn babies
Contact your doctor straight away if you think your baby may have infective conjunctivitis (also called neonatal conjunctivitis).
Any newborn baby with infective conjunctivitis must be referred to an eye specialist straight away for treatment.
Find out more about the
.Glossary
Conjunctiva The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane (thin layer of cells) that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surfaces of the eyelids. Inflammation Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.
Treatment for conjunctivitis
The recommended treatment for conjunctivitis will depend on whether it is caused by infection, an allergic reaction or an irritant such as a stray eyelash.
Each treatment option is discussed in more detail below.
Infective conjunctivitis
Most cases of infective conjunctivitis do not require medical treatment and will clear up in one to two weeks.
Self-care
There are several ways that you can treat infective conjunctivitis at home. The following advice should help ease your symptoms:
- Remove your contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, take them out until all the signs and symptoms of the infection have gone. Avoid using contact lenses until 24 hours after you have finished a course of treatment. Do not re-use the lenses after the infection has passed as the old lens could be a potential source of re-infection.
- Use lubricant eye drops. These are available over the counter at pharmacies or they may be prescribed for you. They may help ease any soreness and stickiness in your eyes. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Gently clean away sticky discharge from your eyelids and lashes using cotton wool soaked in water.
- Wash your hands regularly. This is particularly important after you have touched your infected eyes and will stop the infection spreading to other people.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are not usually prescribed for infective conjunctivitis because they make little difference to your recovery and there is a very low risk of complications for untreated conjunctivitis.
However, if the infection is particularly severe or it has lasted for more than two weeks, you may be prescribed antibiotics. Some schools or playgroups may insist that a child is treated with antibiotics before they can return, although this is rarely necessary.
The two main types of antibiotics that may be prescribed are:
- chloramphenicol
- fusidic acid
Chloramphenicol
Chloramphenicol is usually the first choice and comes in the form of eye drops. They are used as follows:
- Put one drop in the infected eye every two hours for the first two days.
- Put one drop in the infected eye every four hours for the next five days.
You only need to use the drops while you are awake. If your symptoms improve within the first five days, continue to use the eye drops for another two days.
If eye drops are not suitable for you, you may be prescribed the antibiotic as an eye ointment instead.
Fusidic acid
If medication from a pharmacy hasn't helped, or chloramphenicol isn't suitable for you, see your doctor. They may prescribe fusidic acid, which is also the preferred treatment for pregnant women.
Fusidic acid comes in the form of eye drops, which are normally used twice a day for seven days.
Side effects
Eye drops can briefly cause blurred vision. Avoid driving or operating machinery straight after using eye drops.
Usually, neither chloramphenicol nor fusidic acid cause side effects, although they can cause a slight stinging or burning sensation in your eye. This feeling should not last long.
Further treatment
If you still have symptoms after 2 weeks, it's very important to see your doctor. Also contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- eye pain
- sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- loss of vision
- intense redness in one or both of your eyes
Your doctor may suggest that you are tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some STIs, such as
, can cause infective conjunctivitis. In this case, your symptoms may last for several months.Allergic conjunctivitis
Your treatment will depend on which type of allergic conjunctivitis you have.
The four main types of allergic conjunctivitis are:
- seasonal conjunctivitis: typically caused by an allergy to pollen
- perennial conjunctivitis: usually caused by an allergy to dust mites or pets
- contact dermatoconjunctivitis: usually caused by an allergy to eye drops or cosmetics
- giant papillary conjunctivitis: usually caused by an allergy to contact lenses
Whatever the cause, you will find that some self-help methods can ease your symptoms.
Self-help
If you have allergic conjunctivitis, you can follow the guidelines below to treat your condition at home:
- Remove your contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, take them out until all the signs and symptoms of the conjunctivitis have gone.
- Do not rub your eyes, even though your eyes may be itchy. Rubbing them can make your symptoms worse.
- Place a cool compress over your eyes.
- Wetting a flannel with cool water and holding it over your eyes will help ease your symptoms.
- Avoid exposure to the allergen, if possible.
See preventing allergic conjunctivitis for more advice.
Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis
If you have seasonal or perennial allergic conjunctivitis, medications can include:
- antihistamines
- mast cell stabiliser eye drops
- steroids
If your conjunctivitis is very persistent, see your doctor. They may prescribe other medication, such as:
- different antihistamine eye drops
- corticosteroids
Antihistamines
If you need rapid relief from allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend an
.Antihistamines work by blocking the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it is under attack from an allergen. This prevents the symptoms of the allergic reaction from occurring.
Antihistamine eye drops
Your pharmacist may suggest antihistamine eye drops, such as
- azelastine (not suitable for children under four years of age)
- emedastine (not suitable for children under three years of age)
- ketotifen (not suitable for children under three years of age)
- antazoline with xylometazoline (Otrivine-Antistin, not suitable for children under 12 years of age)
Antazoline with xylometazoline (Otrivine-Antistin) is also available over the counter from pharmacies without prescription. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some antihistamine eye drops may not be suitable if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your pharmacist for advice.
Oral antihistamines
Your pharmacist may suggest you try oral antihistamines, such as:
- cetirizine
- fexofenadine
- loratadine
You will usually only have to take an antihistamine once a day.
If possible, oral antihistamines should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor for advice if you're breastfeeding or pregnant.
Although new antihistamines should not make you drowsy, they may still have a sedating effect. This is more likely if you take high doses or drink alcohol while you are taking antihistamines.
Mast cell stabilisers
Mast cell stabilisers are an alternative type of medicine. Unlike antihistamines, they will not provide rapid relief from your symptoms, but they are more effective at controlling your symptoms over a longer period of time.
It may take several weeks to feel the effects so you may also be prescribed an antihistamine to take at the same time.
Mast cell stabilisers that are commonly prescribed in the form of eye drops include:
- lodoxamide
- nedocromil sodium
- sodium cromoglicate
Corticosteroids
If your symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are particularly severe, you may be prescribed a short course of oral corticosteroids (steroids tablets, capsules or a liquid you can drink). However, these are not usually prescribed unless absolutely necessary.
Read more about corticosteroids.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis
As giant papillary conjunctivitis is usually caused by contact lenses, the symptoms often clear up after you stop wearing them. The spots that form on the inside of your upper eyelid may last slightly longer.
If you develop giant papillary conjunctivitis as a result of recent eye surgery, you will be immediately referred to an ophthalmologist. This is to ensure that your eyes can be carefully monitored and the most effective treatment given.
Irritant conjunctivitis
Most cases of irritant conjunctivitis do not require any treatment as the condition should clear up once the irritant is removed from the eye.
An exception to this is if your eyes were exposed to harmful substances such as bleach or acid. This is usually regarded as medical emergency and you will need to be admitted to hospital so your eyes can be washed out with saline solution.
Glossary
Antibiotics Antibiotics are medicines that can be used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, usually bacteria or fungi. Bacteria Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and some others are good for you. Conjunctiva The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane (thin layer of cells) that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surfaces of the eyelids. Inflammation Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.
Complications of conjunctivitis
Complications with conjunctivitis depend on whether the condition is an infection (infective conjunctivitis) or an allergic reaction (allergic conjunctivitis).
Infective conjunctivitis
If your infection has been caused by a
(STI), especially , your conjunctivitis may last for several months rather than weeks.Infective conjunctivitis caused by any type of bacteria can cause a number of complications, particularly in babies born prematurely (before week 37 of pregnancy).
Possible complications include:
- : an infection of the meninges (the protective layer of cells that surrounds the brain and spinal cord).
- : an infection of the deep layer of skin and tissue that causes the skin on the surface to become sore and inflamed (swollen). It is usually easily treated with antibiotics.
- Septicaemia: this is more commonly known as . This condition occurs when bacteria get into the bloodstream and attack the body's tissues.
- : this is a short-term ear infection. It affects around one-in-four children who have had infective conjunctivitis caused by the haemophilus influenzae bacteria.
Neonatal conjunctivitis
In newborn babies (neonates) who are up to 28 days old, infective conjunctivitis can lead to a severe and rapidly progressive eye infection. If this is not treated, it can result in permanent damage to your child’s vision.
If your newborn baby is found to have infective conjunctivitis, they will be referred immediately for specialist assessment and treatment. Their condition will be closely monitored. Complications are rare and most babies make a full recovery from infective conjunctivitis.
After having infective conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia, around one-in-five babies may develop
(a type of lung infection). This is a potentially life-threatening condition in young babies and may require treatment in hospital.Allergic conjunctivitis
If your conjunctivitis is due to an allergic reaction to pollen, dust mites or similar (seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis), it is very rare to experience any serious complications.
However, you may find your reoccurring symptoms frustrating. For example, if your conjunctivitis is caused by pollen, you may find it difficult to go outside during the spring and summer months without triggering your symptoms.
This type of allergic conjunctivitis can affect your daily life and could make it difficult for you to concentrate at work or school, particularly if your eyes are severely irritated. Although this can affect your quality of life, it should not cause any long-term health problems. Read more about [living with an allergy].
Punctate epithelial keratitis
Some types of conjunctivitis can cause a condition called keratitis. Keratitis is where your cornea (the front of your eye) becomes inflamed (swollen).
This can be painful and make your eyes sensitive to light (photophobia). Sometimes, ulcers (open sores) form on the cornea. If the ulcers scar your cornea, your vision may be permanently damaged.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms (read more about the symptoms of conjunctivitis) or visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
Glossary
Bacteria Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and others are good for you. Brain The brain controls thought, memory and emotion. It sends messages to the body controlling movement, speech and senses. Conjunctiva The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane (thin layer of cells) that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surfaces of the eyelids. Inflammation Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area. Lungs The lungs are a pair of organs in the chest that control breathing. They remove carbon dioxide from the blood and replace it with oxygen.