Conjunctivitis: how to treat red eye - Tashkent

Other names: Воспаление конъюнктивы, красный глаз, вирусный конъюнктивит, аллергический конъюнктивит

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin transparent membrane that covers the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This is the most common cause of red eye, and in most cases the condition is benign and goes away on its own. The problem is different: under the mask of conjunctivitis, diseases that threaten vision can be hidden - keratitis, iridocyclitis, an acute attack of glaucoma. A few simple signs help to distinguish them, and knowing them is useful for everyone.

🧾 МКБ-10: H10 🏥 Where it is treated: 9 Most often viralAn antibiotic is rarely neededVery contagious

👨‍⚕️ Which doctor

Ophthalmologist

🔬 Diagnostics

Examination, smear if necessary

💊 Treatment

Hygiene, hydration, antibiotics as indicated

📈 Prognosis

Favorable

⚠️ At risk

Patient contact, allergies, lenses

⏱ When to see a doctor

Planned; in case of pain and loss of vision - urgently

🚨 See a doctor urgently

With these signs do not wait for a scheduled appointment — the condition requires emergency care.

Снижение остроты зрения — при конъюнктивите зрение не страдает
Выраженная боль в глазу, а не резь и жжение
Светобоязнь, невозможность открыть глаз на свету
Покраснение, наиболее выраженное вокруг радужки (перикорнеальная инъекция)
Изменение формы или размера зрачка
Помутнение роговицы, ощущение инородного тела при ношении линз

Three main types

Viral (most common): begins in one eye, after 2-3 days it moves to the second; copious watery discharge, redness, sandy feeling; often against the background of a cold, with an enlarged lymph node in front of the ear. Extremely contagious
Bacterial: thick purulent discharge, eyelids stick together in the morning, most often one eye is affected. Less common than people think
Allergic: the main symptom is severe itching, always in both eyes, swelling of the eyelids, often accompanied by a runny nose and sneezing; seasonality or association with animals and dust

Практический ориентир: зуд — думайте об аллергии; обильное слезотечение на фоне простуды — о вирусе; гной и слипшиеся веки — о бактериях. Но при любой боли и снижении зрения диагноз «конъюнктивит» неверен.

Treatment

Viral conjunctivitis cannot be treated with antibiotics. It goes away on its own in 1-2 weeks, and treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Viral: artificial tears, cool compresses, strict hygiene; antibiotics are useless
Bacterial: antibiotic drops as prescribed by a doctor, usually 5–7 days
Allergic: elimination of the allergen, antihistamine drops, if necessary, systemic medications
Rinsing the eyes with boiled water or saline, moving from the outer corner to the inner
Separate towel, frequent pillowcase change, hand washing
Avoiding contact lenses and cosmetics until complete recovery

Категорически нельзя накладывать повязку на глаз: под ней создаются идеальные условия для размножения микробов. Также не следует закапывать капли, содержащие глюкокортикостероиды, без назначения врача — при герпетическом поражении роговицы они могут привести к потере зрения.

How contagious

Viral conjunctivitis is transmitted extremely easily - through hands, towels, pillows, objects. A person is contagious from approximately the first day until 10–14 days, while active redness and discharge persist.

Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes
Separate towel and pillow, daily change of pillowcase
Do not use general cosmetics and drops
The child should not attend kindergarten or school during the acute period
After recovery, replace mascara and eyeliner, disinfect the lens container

Features in children and newborns

In newborns, a common cause of “watery eyes” is not conjunctivitis, but obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct; treated with massage and, if necessary, probing
Purulent discharge from a baby in the first days of life requires immediate examination - an infection acquired during childbirth is possible
In children, conjunctivitis is often combined with otitis media; If you have ear pain, you also need an ENT examination
It is difficult for a child not to rub his eyes - it is important to cut his nails short and wash his hands often

Frequently asked questions: Conjunctivitis

Are antibiotics always needed for conjunctivitis?+

No. Most conjunctivitis is viral, and antibiotics are useless for them. They are needed for bacterial infections - with thick purulent discharge and sticking of the eyelids, and are prescribed by a doctor.

How to distinguish conjunctivitis from a dangerous eye disease?+

With conjunctivitis, vision does not decrease, there is no severe pain or photophobia, and the redness is uniform. Pain, decreased vision, photophobia and redness around the iris are signs of keratitis, iridocyclitis or glaucoma that require urgent examination.

How many days is a person contagious?+

For viral conjunctivitis - up to approximately 10-14 days, while redness and discharge persist. All this time you need a separate towel, frequent hand washing and changing your pillowcase.

Is it possible to wear a blindfold?+

No. Warmth and humidity are created under the bandage - ideal conditions for the growth of microbes. The eye must remain open.

Can I wear contact lenses?+

No, you need to stop wearing lenses until you fully recover. The container and solution should be replaced, and soft lenses worn during the illness should be thrown away.

A child’s eye is constantly watering – is this conjunctivitis?+

In infants, a common cause is nasolacrimal duct obstruction rather than infection. It is treated with massage of the lacrimal sac and, if necessary, probing, so an examination by an ophthalmologist is required.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor consultation. Only a qualified specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment after an in-person examination.