What is Conjunctivitis?
Inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva is known as Conjunctivitis. Conjunctiva is the thin transparent layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelid. The condition is also termed pinkeye.
Causes:
Conjunctivitis is mainly of three types: allergic, bacterial, and viral.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: caused by allergens like dust, pollen, etc.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis: caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria
- Viral conjunctivitis: generally caused by a common cold virus
Other causes include chemical splash in the eye, blocked tear duct (in newborns)
Symptoms:
- Itching and/or burning sensation in one or both eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Discharge from one or both eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes accompanied by a runny nose
- Sticky, yellow, or greenish-yellow eye discharge in the corner of the eye.
Home Remedies:
- Extract juice from fresh gooseberry fruits. Filter to get fine liquid. Drop two drops in each eye.
- Close eyes and apply honey in eyelids.
- Boil a teaspoon of cinnamon in a glass of water. Soak clean cloth. Put such cloth over your eyes for a few minutes.
