As the rains gradually peter out, heralding the dry season, there comes a plague of different sicknesses often associated with this period. One of such ailments is Conjunctivitis, popularly called Apollo in the local parlance.
Conjunctivitis also known as ‘Red eye’ is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the normal transparent membrane that sits atop the sclera (the white part of the eye). The conjunctiva a thin membranous layer that physically prevents debris such as fallen eyelashes from migrating to the back of the eye socket.
When the conjunctiva is inflamed it often leaves us with a red eye, painful to touch and extremely itchy. Other symptoms include watering eyes and a sticky greenish discharge usually around the eyelids.
“This is eye infection that can affect one or both eyes and commonly causes redness, grittiness, irritation, itchiness and discharge that can be watery or sticky,” says ophthalmologist Dr Sandra Aniegboka.
Conjunctivitis is one eye disease that has been around since antiquity. The prevalence of conjunctivitis at this season fuels various myths regarding infection, prevention and treatment of the ailment. Many believe that viral conjunctivitis can be contacted when you look into the eyes of an infected person.
Common myths:
Mr. Peter Ossai a victim of conjunctivitis is among the very many that holds such notion. He strongly suspects he must have got infected with Apollo when he stared into the eyes of his neighbour who was also suffering from the disease. “Others were avoiding eye contact with him. But I didn’t believe that. So I kept relating well with him. Few days later, I noticed my left eye was itchy. So I pulled out one of my eyelashes as advised by my wife. But when I woke up in the morning my two eyes were swollen, red and painful,” he told Saturday Sun.
But, according to Dr Aniegboka there’s no scientific proof that conjunctivitis can be contacted by merely looking at the eyes of an infected individual. However she agrees that it is highly contagious, and often causes epidemics in schools, work and market places and especially among household members.
“ The disease usually self-resolves in two to three weeks. A virus called adenovirus – which also causes respiratory infections and diarrhoea – is responsible for 65-90 per cent of all cases of viral conjunctivitis. The virus commonly affects one eye first before quickly spreading to the other eye. It may be accompanied by a sore throat or running nose typical of a common cold. Also it occurs more frequently in adults than in children. Eye secretions and droplets from the respiratory tract of infected people transmit the virus,” she says.
When conjunctivitis strikes, many, in desperate attempt to bring succour and soothe the itchy -burning sensation in the eyes, resort to different unorthodox means of self-medication. Liquid substances like kerosene, sugar solution and breast milk are just a few things dropped into the eyes to cleanse the redness of the eyes.
Another common myth believed by many is that conjunctivitis has some inherent benefits. “ I was told that Apollo helps flush out dirt from the eyes and makes it sparkling white after infecting someone”, says Mrs. Adebisi Oni, a sufferer.
But optometrist Dr Adebayo Olympio of 20-20 Eye Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, firmly warns all to desist from self medication and seek professional attention when suffering from conjunctivitis or any other ailments that affect the eyes. “Our eyes are very sensitive organ and must never be toyed with. You don’t have a second chance when your sight is destroyed. It is gone and you are blind forever. So we must treat our eyes with care,” he counselled.
She, however, explains: “ Not all eyes that look red is conjunctivitis. So you must go and see a doctor for proper diagnosis and prescription. She adds: “It’s not true that conjunctivitis cleanses the eyes. There is nothing good about conjunctivitis. It is a bacteria that disrupts sights. And there’s nothing good about it at all.”
Aside viral conjunctivitis there are two other main types: Bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is less common than viral conjunctivitis. It is caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae.
These bacteria are members of the normal colonies living on healthy eyes and usually do not cause disease. However, they can proliferate and cause conjunctivitis in certain conditions, such as dry eye, after damage to the eye, or in a weakened immune system. Like viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious.
Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by exposure to allergens. These include pollen, dust mites and animal dander. Because it is not caused by micro-organisms, this condition is not contagious and avoiding school or work or marketplaces is not required.
Redness, itchiness and watering of both eyes are the prominent features. These may be accompanied by an itchy nose, itchy throat and sneezing. Identifying and avoiding the offending allergen is important for treatment. This may require an allergy test.
What to do:
Treatment for viral conjunctivitis is aimed at symptom relief. This involves lubricating eye drops, cold compresses and antihistamine eye drops.
However eye specialists recommend that people with viral or bacterial conjunctivitis should avoid work or school and public swimming pools until symptoms settle. “They should also avoid sharing towels and make-up items, rubbing the affected eye and practise thorough and frequent hand hygiene, especially after touching the face or eyes, sneezing or coughing,” Dr. Aniegboka hints.
Source: Thesun
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