conjunctivitis n : inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye [syn: pinkeye]

English

Noun

1. an inflammation of the conjunctiva often due to infection.

Synonyms

• Madras eye (India), pink-eye (UK), pinkeye (US)

Derived terms

• actinic conjunctivitis
• acute catarrhal conjunctivitis
• acute contagious conjunctivitis
• acute epidemic conjunctivitis
• acute follicular conjunctivitis
• acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis
• acute viral conjunctivitis
• allergic conjunctivitis
• angular conjunctivitis
• arc-flash conjunctivitis
• atopic conjunctivitis
• atropine conjunctivitis
• Axenfeld's conjunctivitis
• bacterial conjunctivitis
• blennorrhoeal conjunctivitis
• blepharoconjunctivitis
• blepharokeratoconjunctivitis
• calcareous conjunctivitis
• chemical conjunctivitis
• chronic catarrhal conjunctivitis
• chronic conjunctivitis
• chronic follicular conjunctivitis
• cicatricial conjunctivitis
• conjunctivitis arida
• conjunctivitis medicamentosa
• conjunctivitis nodosa
• conjunctivitis petrificans
• conjunctivitis tularensis
• contagious granular conjunctivitis
• croupous conjunctivitis
• dermatoconjunctivitis
• diphtheritic conjunctivitis
• diplobacillary conjunctivitis
• eczematous conjunctivitis
• Egyptian conjunctivitis
• epidemic conjunctivitis
• Elschnig's conjunctivitis
• follicular conjunctivitis
• giant papillary conjunctivitis
• gonococcal conjunctivitis
• gonorrheal conjunctivitis, gonorrhoeal conjunctivitis
• granular conjunctivitis
• hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis
• inclusion conjunctivitis
• inclusion conjunctivitis
• infantile purulent conjunctivitis
• infectious conjunctivitis
• irritant conjunctivitis
• keratoconjunctivitis
• Koch-Weeks conjunctivitis
• lacrimal conjunctivitis
• larval conjunctivitis
• ligneous conjunctivitis
• lithiasis conjunctivitis
• Meibomian conjunctivitis
• membranous conjunctivitis
• meningococcus conjunctivitis
• molluscum conjunctivitis
• Morax-Axenfeld conjunctivitis
• Moraxella conjunctivitis
• mucopurulent conjunctivitis
• necrotic infectious conjunctivitis
• neonatal conjunctivitis
• newborn conjunctivitis
• Parinaud's conjunctivitis
• Pascheff's conjunctivitis
• pharyngoconjunctivitis
• phlyctenular conjunctivitis
• prairie conjunctivitis
• pseudomembranous conjunctivitis
• purulent conjunctivitis
• reflux conjunctivitis
• rhinoconjunctivitis
• scleroconjunctivitis
• scrofular conjunctivitis
• seborrheic blepharoconjunctivitis
• shipyard conjunctivitis
• simple acute conjunctivitis
• simple conjunctivitis
• snow conjunctivitis
• spring conjunctivitis
• squirrel plague conjunctivitis
• subconjunctivitis
• swimming pool conjunctivitis
• toxic conjunctivitis
• toxicogenic conjunctivitis
• trachomatous conjunctivitis
• tularemic conjunctivitis
• uratic conjunctivitis
• vaccinial conjunctivitis
• vernal conjunctivitis
• viral conjunctivitis
• welder's conjunctivitis
• Widmark's conjunctivitis

Translations

Conjunctivitis (), commonly called "Pink Eye" and "Red Eye" is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually bacterial, but sometimes viral).

Variants

Blepharoconjunctivitis is the combination of conjunctivitis with blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

Keratoconjunctivitis is the combination of conjunctivitis and keratitis (corneal inflammation).

Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition that produces a similar appearance to conjunctivitis, but without discharge or tearing.

Conjunctivitis has many different possible causes. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria (including STDs), allergies, or irritants such as shampoo, dirt, smoke, or chlorine (from pool water).

The viral and bacterial forms of conjunctivitis are contagious, and can therefore be caused by coming in contact with another individual who is already infected.

Although there is no specific treatment for viral conjunctivitis, symptomatic relief may be achieved with warm compresses and artificial tears. For the worst cases, topical corticosteroid drops may be prescribed to reduce the discomfort from inflammation. However prolonged usage of corticosteroid drops increases the risk of side effects. Antibiotic drops may also be used for treatment of complementary infections. Patients are often advised to avoid touching their eyes or sharing towels and washcloths. Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves within 3 weeks. However, in worst cases it may take over a month.

Conjunctivitis due to burns, toxic and chemical require careful wash-out with saline, especially beneath the lids, and may require topical steroids. The more acute chemical injuries are medical emergencies, particularly alkali burns, which can lead to severe scarring, and intraocular damage. Fortunately, such injuries are uncommon.

References

External links

• Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease The National Eye Institute (NEI).