Conjunctivitis "Pink Eye"
How is it treated?
Appropriate therapy for conjunctivitis is varied and depends on the diagnosis and severity of the symptoms the patient is experiencing. To get suitable treatment, a thorough evaluation from a qualified healthcare provider is recommended. Your healthcare provider may assess your condition in a variety of ways including: evaluating the symptoms you report, examining the affected area, or taking bacterial cultures for analysis.
Below are explanations of some the treatment options grouped according to type of conjunctivitis. The best option for your condition will be determined by your healthcare provider based on diagnosis, severity and symptoms.
Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis may disappear completely when the allergy is managed appropriately. Being aware of and removing your allergic trigger(s) may help you to avert the symptoms associated with this type of conjunctivitis.
Multiple eye drops or ointments (ophthalmic products) are available to treat the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Oral antihistamines may be used if allergy symptoms involve more than just the eyes.
Bacterial
Although this type of conjunctivitis, if mild, may resolve without treatment, it is best to have your practitioner evaluate the appropriate management. Severe bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by thick pus-like discharge, pain, and marked inflammation of the eye. Your doctor will likely prescribe an ophthalmic antibiotic for treatment of this condition.
Viral
There are no specific treatment options to treat this type of conjunctivitis. In this situation your provider will educate you on how to reduce symptoms and prevent spreading the infection to the other eye or to other people.
Your doctor may also suggest ophthalmic steroids to reduce swelling. Artificial tears and cold compresses may be used ease pain and dryness. Alternatively, your physician may choose to thoroughly rinse the eye with a saline solution. This rinsing will help the eye shed the viral particles causing the infection.
Finally if your symptoms do not improve within 3 to 5 days, return to the doctor for follow-up. It may mean that your condition is more severe than first thought or that the initial treatment is not working sufficiently to improve symptoms.
Drug classes used to treat Conjunctivitis "Pink Eye" Ophthalmic Antibiotics Ophthalmic Antihistamines Ophthalmic Mast Cell Stabilizers Ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Opththalmic Steroids
|
How is it treated?
