The Red Eye

A common eye complaint is usually the red eye (or sometimes, pink eye). The most common cause of the red eye is an infection, and the infection is usually viral in origin (acute viral conjunctivitis).

Acute viral conjunctivitis also shows the following symptoms: tearing, discharge, slight pain, slight swelling of the eyelids, itchiness. This is a contagious condition, spread by direct contact.

What to do:
- HANDWASHING especially when you have touched your eyes. This would greatly cut down on the spread of conjunctivitis. You don't want to start an epidemic of conjunctivitis.
- Use tissue to wipe off any tearing, and throw the tissue afterwards.
- Use sterile or boiled water to clean off any crusting or discharge.
- it's best to just stay home, especially for children, in order to avoid spreading the infection.

What NOT to do:
- use just any eyedrop without a doctor's prescription. For that matter, don't just put anything into the eye, especially unclean water, urine, plant extracts etc. You might just be worsening the situation.

When you must ABSOLUTELY see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist)
- There was trauma involved, or a chemical substance has been introduced prior to the symptoms.
- When the redness has not subsided in 3 days
- There is very copious discharge.
- There is blurring of vision noted.
- Eyes are very swollen.
- There is eye pain, headache, dizziness or other symptoms.
- There is accompanying fever.
- The patient is either very young or very old.

Other possible cause of red eyes: Acute onset glaucoma, corneal abrasions, blepharitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis (bacterial or herpes), chemical burns or injury, etc.

Also published in http://blogchex.com/theworkingmom and http://hubpages.com/hub/The_Red_Eye by the same author.