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Red eye or conjunctivitis
or madras eye is a disease with redness, watering and blurring of vision. It is
most commonly caused by viral infection.
Other causes
include bacterial infection, chemical injury, allergy etc.
What are
its symptoms?
You may
develop sudden onset redness of eyes, both or one eye.
You may
feel grittiness of eye, or irritation of eye
There can
be increased watering of eye.
Some may
have severe pain of eye, difficulty to look at light or difficulty to read or
drive.
How do
you diagnose it?
An ophthalmologist
( eye doctor) may examine your eye under
a slit lamp to diagnose a red eye/ madras eye/ conjunctivitis. Based on the tests
she do She can find the cause of the red
eye
How many
days does it take to cure?
If treated
early it takes at least 5 to 7 days to resolve.
Will it
spread to other?
Yes. It can
spread to others
How does
it spread to other?
It do not
spread if you look at the affected person.
But it
spreads when you use the towels, utensils or face masks used by the affected
individuals, as it spreads through contact.
So children
should not be send to schools until resolution of symptoms.
What are
the complications if you leave red eyes untreated?
Some red
eyes can permeant decrease in vision if
the thin transparent layer of eye (cornea) is affected. So early consultation
with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) is mandatory
What are
the precautions you should take if you have red eye?
Avoid frequent
rubbing and touching of eye
Use towel or
disposable tissue paper for wiping the watering of eye
Frequent hand
washing should be done
Avoid going
to public and remain in self-isolation
What should
you do if you see someone with red eye?
Avoid using
the towel and personal belongings used by the affected individual.
Educate and
encourage the individual to visit an ophthalmologist ( eye doctor) and get
treated.
Dr. Irene Rose
Joy
M.B.B.S., DO-NBEMS Ophthalmology Resident
Acchutha Eye Care Errode . TN
Grace Opticals Kerala
irenerose1212@gmail.com
www.graceoptical.in
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