Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis
Redness, irritation and watering of the eyes are symptoms common to all forms of conjunctivitis. Itch is variable. Acute allergic conjunctivitis is typically itchy, sometimes distressingly so, and the patient often complains of some lid swelling. Chronic allergy often causes just itch or irritation, and often much frustration because the absence of redness or discharge can lead to accusations of hypochondria.

Signs
Infection (redness) of the conjunctiva on one or both eyes should be apparent, but may be quite mild. Except in obvious pyogenic or toxic/chemical conjunctivitis, a slitlamp (biomicroscope) is needed to have any confidence in the diagnosis. Examination of the tarsal conjunctiva is usually more diagnostic than the bulbar conjunctiva. Viral conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye", shows a fine diffuse pinkness of the conjunctiva which is easily mistaken for the 'ciliary infection' of iritis, but there are usually corroborative signs on biomicroscopy, particularly numerous lymphoid follicles on the tarsal conjunctiva, and sometimes a punctate keratitis.

Treatment
Conjunctivitis sometimes requires medical attention. The appropriate treatment depends on the cause of the problem. For the allergic type, cool compresses and artificial tears sometimes relieve discomfort in mild cases. In more severe cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and antihistamines may be prescribed. Some patients with persistent allergic conjunctivitis may also require topical steroid drops.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with anitbiotic eye drops or ointments that cover a broad range of bacteria (chloramphenicol). However evidence suggests that this does not affect symptom severity and gains only modest reduction in duration from an average of 4.8 days (untreated controls) to 3.3 days for those given immediate antibiotics. Deferring antibiotics yields almost the same duration as those immediately starting treatment with 3.9 days duration, but with half the two-week clinic reattendance rate.
Although there is no cure for viral conjunctivitis, symptomatic relief may be achieved with cool compresses and artificial tears. For the worst cases, topical steroid drops may be prescribed to reduce the discomfort from inflammation. However prolonged usage of steroid drops may cause addiction. Antibiotic drops may also be used for treatment of complimentary infections. Patients are often advised to avoid touching their eyes or sharing towels and washcloths. Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves within 3 weeks. However in worst cases it may take over a month.

okay. thats quite a mouthful. was to have my day op today for the wisdom tooth as mentioned. unfortunately, it had to be postponed due to a bad inflamation on my left eye last wed and now it has reached to both eyes. Argh. oh well, people around me, don be alarmed its just a bad case of red eye. Even a red-eye reduction camera will not help. Well then, it has blessed me with not attending the coming change of command parade in july 20th. but nonetheless, i do hope i will get well soon... to even provide in strength for the coming security operations for NDP at marina bay 2007. thanks for the concern guys... appreciate it very much~* =)
will be thinking and looking out for opportunities to make some dough while i study. less than 2 months to ord and with 9 days leave and 12 days off on hand with another hand full of medical leave coming up~* woohoo~*