Conjunctivitis
Conjuntivitis is one of the most common opthalmological diseases and has many causes. One of the most common causes is bacteriae, viruses and fungi. Conjunctivitis may occur by itself or accompany an infection (for example: measles, rubella, varicella or influenza). Measles, in particular, begins with conjunctivitis three days before typical skin findings occur. Sometimes, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) may extend to the conjunctival layer. Most of the time, conjunctival infection may be related with environmental factors including fume, dry or dusty weather or chemical fumes.
Conjunctivitis may occur as a result of lack of treatment or erroneous treatment of refraction disorders. Thus, not wearing glasses or wearing wrongly adjusted glasses may lead to conjunctivitis.
Hidden strabismus may also be one of the causes. In the spring, an allergic reaction is generally triggered by grass and pollen. Other causes that can trigger allergic reactions include animal hair, wool, feather, cosmetics and eye drops. The conjunctival layer usually reacts in a few minutes to allergic conditions. Conjunctivitis and hemorrhage in the conjunctival layer may be confused with each other.
Generally, the small vessels in the conjunctival layer split and harmless regional bleedings occur. Rarely, hypertension or clotting disorders may be found as the cause of the disease. Unless conjuntivitis extends to the cornea, it is usually harmless for the eye and does not lead to a permanent limitation in visual acuity.
A biomicroscope is used to check the anterior part of the eye, where the conjunctival layer can be thoroughly examined and any changes can be determined.
In conjunctivits, eye drops are usually sufficent for treatment. Eye drops should be applied into the lower conjunctival sac. Care should be taken not to contact the tip of the eye drop bottle with the eye so that no bacteriae are transferred to the eye drop bottle and eye drop from the eye.