Conjunctivitis

Introduction

Conjunctivitis
has been identified as a major eye disorder affecting wide range of people of
different locations i.e. it is a worldwide disorder.

The term
conjunctivitis is generally used to describe the infectious and inflammatory
state of the conjunctiva.

The
conjunctiva being the membrane that lines the outer part of the eyes is easily
infected by external substances ranging from infection by micro-organisms e.g. Gonococcus,
Streptococcus and Chlamydia etc. and also affected by pollutant such as smoke
and other environmental factors.

There are
various type of conjunctivitis but the one caused by Chlamydia have proved to
be the virulent (strong) of all, when not properly treated can result to
complications ranging from cornea scaring to total blindness.

Layers
of the conjunctiva

The
conjunctiva is a clear thin membrane that covers part of the front surface of
the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It has two segments namely.

·
Bulbar conjunctiva

·
Palpebral conjunctiva

Bulbar
conjunctiva

The portion
of the conjunctiva covers the anterior part of the sclera (the white part of
the eye). The bulbar conjunctiva stops at the junction the sclera and cornea. It
does not cover the cornea.

Palpebral
conjunctiva

This portion
covers the inner surface of both the upper and lower eyelids (another term for
the palpebral conjunctiva is tarsal conjunctiva). The palpebral conjunctiva
covers the inner lining of the eyelid and it continues with bulbar conjunctiva
that covers the white sclera of the eye.

Conjunctival
problems

1.
Conjunctivitis

2.
Conjunctiva pallor

3.
Injected conjunctiva

4.
Conjunctiva cyst

Others are conjunctiva
hamamgioma conjunctiva, Hemorhage Conjunctiva melanoma e.t.c.

We are going
to look especially on conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis

According to
medical dictionary conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a
thin delicate membrane that covers the eyeball and lies the eyelid. This is
cause by virus and can also cause by bacterial. It causes the eye to take on a
reddish watering appearance. The eyelid also swell and some people affected with
conjunctivitis experience a burning feeling and discharged from their eye.

Causes

1.
Cold

2.
Acute respiratory infection

3.
Smoke

4.
Dust

5.
Radiation from welding

6.
Use of contact lens can also cause
conjunctivitis

Symptoms

1.
Discomfort in one or both eye

2.
Redness

3.
Swelling of the eyelid

4.
Watery discharged

5.
Cornea scaring

Diagnosis

1.
By taking the history of the patient

2.
When the symptoms began

3.
How long has the condition been
going on

4.
Occupation of the patient (i.e the
job the patient is doing)

Types of conjunctivitis

There are
various types of conjunctivitis: This include

1.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis

2.
Allergic Conjunctivitis

3.
Gonococcus and Chlamydial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial
conjunctivitis

This is an
infection and sometimes, inflammation of the Conjunctiva as a result of harmful
bacterial activities Examples of this micro-organisms are Staphylococcus Aurouse.t.c.
this form of Conjunctivitis is what is popularly known as “Apollo” in our society.
It is an highly infectious eye disease which can easily affect a large number
of person in a community since it could spread very rapidly from one person to
the other by physical contact.

Causes

1.
Dirty hands

2.
Sharing of makeup and facial
products

Symptoms
and signs

1.
redness copious discharges

2.
photophobia

3.
swelling of the eyelid

4.
pains

Prevention

1.
Washing hands thoroughly.

2.
Refraining from sharing of facial
makeup.

3.
Avoid touching affected eye.

4.
Keep contact lenses clean.

5.
Use cosmetic carefully.

Allergic
conjunctivitis

You
experience allergen conjunctivitis when your body tries to defend itself
against a perceived threat .it does this in reaction to things that trigger the
release of histamine your body produces this chemical to fight off foreign invaders
. Some of the substances that cause this reaction are:

1.
House hold dust

2.
Pollen from trees and grass

3.
Chemical scent such as
household detergent and perfumes

4.
Reaction to certain medication or
substances dropped into the eye such as contain lens solution and medication
eye drops

People
at risk of allergic conjunctivitis

1.
People who have Allergies

2.
Heredity

Symptoms
of allergic conjunctivitis

1.
Red

2.
Itching

3.
Watery

4.
Burning eyes

Chlamydial
conjunctivitis

Chlamydial
is a type of bacterial that can cause infection. According to Ejiro (2017) chlamydial
conjunctivitis is a sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydial conjunctivitis
usually present as a persistent inner eyelid infection that may discharge pus.
It is most commonly seen in sexually active teenagers. Chlamydial
conjunctivitis is also the most common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis in the
U.S. according to the Handbook of Ocular Disease Management. The Festus can
contact the infection passing through the birth canal.

Causes

Chlamydia
can be spread when you get bacteria in your eye from:-

1.
Touching your eyes without washing
your hands.

2.
Sharing wash cloths, tower,
cosmetics or eyelashes.

3.
Having sexual contact with someone
who is infected.

4.
Heredity: Also, a mother who has
chlamydia can pass this disease to her baby during birth.

Symptoms

Eye problems
caused by chlamydia in adults usually develop slowly. Symptoms may include.

1.
Red, itching, swollen or scratching
eyes.

2.
Sensitivity of light. (photophobic)

3.
Pus or watery discharges.

In a
Newborn, the symptoms may be eye redness, eyelid swelling and watery discharges
that start when that baby is 5 to 7days old.

Diagnosis

Your
healthcare provider will ask about symptoms and activities and Examine your
eyes. A swab of your conjunctiva may be sent to a laboratory to check for
bacteria.

You may need
to have tests for other sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea,
syphilis or HIV/AIDS

How
is it treated

Chlamydial
Conjunctivitis is treated with both anti biotic pulls and eye drops or ointment
to kill the chlamydial on your body your sexual partners must also be treated.
Usually you will get better after taking the antibiotics for 3 to 4 weeks

Treatment
for a newborn is antibiotic ointment and IV antibiotics early treatment can
prevent serious problems Chlamydia can cause blindness or severe lung
infections in new born

Prevention

1.
Wash your hand often

2.
Never share eye makeup or cosmetics
with anyone

3.
Do not share towels, washcloths,
pillows or sheets with anyone if one of your eye is affected but not the other
use a separate towel for each eye.

4.
Use latex or Polyurethane condoms during
foreplay and every time you have vaginal, oral or anal sex .Have just one
sexual partner who is not sexually active with anyone else.

5.
If you are pregnant and have a
chlamydial infection, get treatment for its before your baby is born

General
prevention and controls

1.
Avoid chemical/irritants

2.
Using a clean tissue to remote
discharge from the eye

3.
Washing of hands to prevent the
spread of infection

4.
Frequently washing hand using
antiseptic drug

5.
Using single use towel during the
disease to prevent the spread of the infection

6.
If medication is prescribed, finish
the course of anti-biotic as directed to make sure that the infection is
cleared up and does not re occur.

7.
Improve personal Hygiene

8.
Proper environmental sanitation

Conclusion

Conjunctivitis
has spread worldwide, millions of people have contacted this disease called
conjunctivitis, which affects one or both eyes. The condition has proved to be
cheap and easy to treat. When treated on time we can prevent it or make the
resistant illness less serious.