Conjunctivitis Prevention

It’s the hot dry season in the Philippines once again. Despite the uncomfortable hot weather, it is the time of year when we tend to spend more time outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and participate in a wide range of activities. Unfortunately, the extreme heat and increased exposure to other elements outdoors make us susceptible to a lot of diseases, including an eye disease called conjunctivitis.

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, commonly known by Filipinos as sore eyes, is the inflammation of the conjunctiva– the thin layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This condition can make your eyes turn red and produce a discharge (thin or thick depending on the cause). You may also experience other symptoms such as a burning sensation in your eyes, a gritty feeling in the eyes, a sticky coating on the eyelashes – usually when you first wake up in the morning and an enlarged lymph node (gland) in front of the ear.

The most common cause of conjunctivitis is a viral and bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by allergens (i.e., pollen, dust, pet dander), or irritants (i.e., smoke, chlorine in pools, or chemicals).

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious. They can spread from person to person mainly via hand-to-eye contact which happens when your hand gets contaminated with the virus or bacteria from the infected person, and then you touch your eyes with that same hand. Your hand can get contaminated if you have contact with infectious tears, eye discharge, fecal matter, or respiratory droplets from the infected person. You can also get infected if your eyes have direct contact with that contaminated object (i.e., contaminated make-up brushes) or if the respiratory droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough can also get into your eyes directly. On the other hand, conjunctivitis caused by allergens and irritants cannot be spread from person to person.

Most cases of conjunctivitis are mild and clear up on their own in 1-2 weeks without specific medical treatment. Usually, the use of eye compresses or non-prescription lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) at home can help alleviate the symptoms. It is recommended, however, that you seek medical treatment if your condition does not improve after 2 weeks or if you experience other symptoms such as intense eye pain, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision which may indicate other serious eye problems.

While conjunctivitis is generally not a serious health threat, the fact that it is highly contagious and causes unpleasant and unsightly symptoms should be enough reasons for you to dread this condition. Fortunately, conjunctivitis is largely preventable.

Tips to prevent conjunctivitis

The following are the simple things you can do to reduce the risk of getting conjunctivitis and spreading it to other people:

Wash your hands frequently.

One of the most effective ways to prevent conjunctivitis is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. This is especially important if you have been in contact with someone who has conjunctivitis or with the items he/she uses; for example, you should wash your hands after applying eye drops to the infected person’s eye. You should also wash your hands if you are experiencing symptoms yourself to prevent the spread of infection.

Use soap and water and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to wash all surfaces, including between your fingers and under your nails. If soap and water are not available, use a hand-sanitizing solution that contains at least 60 % alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes.

You can easily pick up viruses and bacteria by touching contaminated objects or surfaces, so your hands can carry those “germs” that can infect your eyes. Do not touch or rub your eyes, especially if you haven't washed your hands recently, to avoid introducing viruses or bacteria to the delicate tissues of your eyes.

If you are the one with conjunctivitis, not touching your eyes prevents the spread of infection to your other eye or other people. If you have discharge or dried-up mucus around your eyes, clean it with a wet washcloth or fresh cotton ball instead of your bare hands. Dispose of the cotton ball after use and wash the washcloths with hot water and detergent.

Avoid sharing personal items.

If you or someone in your household has conjunctivitis, do not share towels, pillowcases, bedding, and washcloths to prevent the spread of infection. Regularly wash these items in hot water and detergent to kill any germs that may be present.

In the same way, do not share anything that may be potentially contaminated with viruses or bacteria such as makeup, makeup brushes, eye drops, contact lenses, or eyeglasses.

Follow proper hygiene and care practices when using contact lenses.

Contact lenses that are not cleaned and disinfected properly can cause bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to accumulate and cause infections, including conjunctivitis.

It is important to follow the advice of your optician for contact lens care, including proper cleaning and disinfection techniques, as well as proper storage of lenses and cases.

You should also wash your hands with soap and water, especially before handling your contact lenses. Additionally, always use fresh solution to store and clean your lenses, and do not wear contact lenses for longer than you should.

If you have allergies, avoid your triggers.

If your conjunctivitis is tied to allergies, avoid exposure to allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. Consider using an air purifier and keep your home clean to reduce the number of allergens in the air.

Protect your eyes from irritants.

Remember that conjunctivitis can also result from irritation. This is why it is important to use protective eyewear when participating in activities that could expose your eyes to irritants. This may include wearing goggles when swimming (especially in a chlorinated pool), diving underwater, or dealing with chemicals at home or at work.

References:

• https://doh.gov.ph/Health-Advisory/Summer-Time-Diseases/Conditions-to-watch-out-during-summer-time
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6003010/
• https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/index.html
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8614-pink-eye#prevention
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pink-eye