Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as ‘pink eye’ or ‘sticky eye’, is spreading thick and fast.

In Delhi, it has become a common cause of concern. Even in Ranchi, reports indicate speedy rise in cases of conjectivities at a time when environment is in grip of clouds and mild rains.

This is visible in market and public places where men and women with the white part of their eyes looking pink or red.Some of them were spotted wearing goggles.

Doctors say that the patient of connectivities’ one or both eyes may be watery, sore or itchy, sometimes with sticky white or yellow discharge. 

This is due to inflammation of the eye’s clear outer layer (known as the conjuctiva) and the inside of the eyelid.

Allergic conjunctivitis may be seasonal, or triggered by specific allergens, for example, pollen or animal dander. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be highly contagious and it is important that a doctor, optometrist or pharmacist diagnoses the exact cause to ensure you get the right treatment, say doctors.

If you have conjunctivitis, you might also:

*have tears
*have puffy eyes
*have a gritty sensation in one or both eyes
*have itchy or burning eyes
be sensitive to light
*have some vision loss or pain

The treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause. For all types of conjunctivitis, it’s helpful to wash the eye gently several times a day with clean cotton wool soaked in warm tap water.

Viral infections improve without other special treatment.

Bacterial infections may require antibiotic eye drops or ointment. It’s important to keep applying the medicine for several days after your symptoms have improved.

If you wear disposable contact lenses and have bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, you should throw away any lenses you have been using and replace you contact lens case.

If you wear ‘extended-wear’ contact lenses, clean them according to the package directions, You should avoid using contact lenses for at least a week after your symptoms have resolved.

Replace any eye makeup or eyelash extensions used right before or during an infection.

Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine drops or tablets. Sometimes your doctor might suggest tests to help you find the allergic trigger.So don’t forget to consult doctors!

Alongside, don’t touch laptop,mobile phones and so on of others. Also wash your eyes as many times as possible.