Viral Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva a thin layer that covers the white part of eye- [thin layer of connective tissue that covers the outer globe of the eye (i.e. the bulbar)] and the inner eyelid-[lines the inner surface of the eyelids (i.e. the palpebral)] become inflamed (hot, red and swollen) and/or affects the inside of the eyelid.

Sheikh A, Hurwitz B, van Schayck CP, et al. Antibiotics versus placebo for acute bacterial conjunctivitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Published Online First: 12 September 2012. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd001211.pub3

It is commonly referred as ‘red eye’ or ‘pink eye’ due to its bloodshot appearance.
The redness appears due to the blood vessels in the are are dilated.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by many factors, each producing similar and individual symptoms.

Cause

Bacteria mainly due to common cold and pneumonia (Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus pneumoniae,Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis)
Some are transmitted by sexual transmitted dieases (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae) this will be need to be seen by your medical doctor.
Viruses mainly due to common cold and pneumonia (Adenovirus,Coxsackie virus, Enterovirus)
Some viruses (Epstein Barr virus, Rubella virus, Rubeola (measles) virus, Herpes simplex virus, Varicella-zoster (chicken pox-shingles) virus) can cause shingles will need to be seen by your medical doctor.
Allergens (can be anything that the body thinks is a threat)
Irritants
Dry eyes
Wearing and using contact lens not correctly
Poor eye hygiene

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Source: www.bouldermedicalcenter.com

Source: www.aoa.org

It can be mistaken for:

Small yellow patches around your eyes?
(This shows one may have cholesterol deposits called xanthelasma and indicate heart disease or a heart attack)
A white ring around your pupils?
(Cholesterol deposits are high enough to cause heart disease especially if under 40 years of age)
Blood vessels in the eye that appear of bronze or grey colour?
(If appear bronze or grayer and appear looped or sharp bends look out for high blood pressure and diabetes)

Symptoms

Does one have:

White of the eye hot, red, swollen and/or pink?

Eyelids swollen?

Sticky discharge (thick yellow discharge that forms a crust overnight)?

Crusty eyelids, and/or are difficult to open in the morning?

Eyes burning, itchiness, gritty irritation (not a sharp intense/significant pain?)

Initially one eye infected and/or has started to other eye?

Vision been affected, blurry, temporarily particularly at waking?

Viral Conjunctivitis

All the symptoms like bacterial, but instead of a sticky discharge, one has a more watery discharge?

Cold and/or any upper respiratory infection i.e. sore throat/cough recently?

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