Bacterial Conjunctivitis Symptoms

Conjunctivitis can be bacterial, viral or it can be caused by allergies. The term conjunctivitis is used to refer to the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a transparent membrane that lines the eyeball and the undersurface of the eyelid. Bacterial conjunctivitis is the infection and inflammation of the conjunctiva, caused by bacteria. It is one of the most common types of conjunctivitis or pink eye. Conjunctivitis causes the eye, especially the white portion of the eye to appear red or pink. Apart from this, the infected eyes can produce a number of symptoms. So, let's take a brief look at the symptoms and causes of this condition.

Causes

Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually caused by bacteria like staphylococcus aureus, haemophilus influenzae, pseudomonas aeruginosa and streptococcus pneumoniae. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause this infection, however it is not very common. Sometimes, newborn babies can contract these bacteria from mothers, infected with chlamydia and gonorrhea during delivery.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis can vary to an extent, depending on the causative agent. The early symptoms of pink eye are a gritty or scratchy sensation and the sensation of having some foreign particles in the eye. These early symptoms are then followed by eye irritation. The symptoms which can usually be observed are:

• Redness of the Eye: It can be observed in almost all types of conjunctivitis, whether caused by bacteria, virus or allergens. It is caused by the dilation of the blood vessels of the conjunctiva, which makes them look more prominent. As a result, the affected eye appears red or pink.
• Unusual Eye Discharge: Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by mucopurulent discharge. The eye discharge is usually thick and yellow or greenish in color. The discharge is sticky and it glues the eyelids or the eyelashes when the eyes are kept closed for a long time, i.e. while sleeping. This makes it quite difficult to open the eyes in the morning.
• Sensitivity to Light: People suffering from bacterial conjunctivitis can experience photophobia or increased sensitivity to bright light.
• Swollen Eyelids: Along with causing inflammation of the conjunctiva, conjunctivitis can affect the eyelids. Therefore, swollen eyelids is another symptom of pink eye, caused by bacteria.
• Itching and Irritation of the Eye: This condition is also known to cause intense itching and a burning sensation in the eye. However, itching may not be experienced by all individuals.
• Other Symptoms: Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, one can observe a few additional symptoms such as pain, pressure on the eyeball, heavy tearing, crusting and velvety appearance of the conjunctiva.

Treatment

On observing any of the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis, one should immediately consult a physician or ophthalmologist. This would help to ascertain whether the symptoms are caused by conjunctivitis or some other eye disorder, as many of the symptoms can resemble the symptoms of other eye problems. Physicians or ophthalmologists usually examine a sample of the eye discharge to diagnose the condition. If the eye infection is found to be caused by bacteria, then physicians can prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments. Along with eye drops and ointments, a warm compress can also help to provide much relief from the symptoms like itching and irritation. In the meantime, one should avoid wearing contact lenses until the infection resolves.

With proper eye care and treatment, symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis resolve within a few days. Therefore, on observing these symptoms, it is imperative to get the condition medically evaluated by a physician. Untreated conjunctivitis can sometimes cause inflammation of the cornea, which can affect vision. Prompt treatment can however, help avoid such complications and get rid of pink eye within a couple of days.