It is one thing to occasionally havered eyes.
However, other bacteria and viruses can also cause conjunctivitis, as can allergies or chemical contaminants.
Conjunctivitis can be broadly classified into three groups: infectious conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and chemical conjunctivitis.
© Verywell, 2018
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is associated with upper respiratory infections and colds.
It usually affects only one eye but may affect both if you rub your eyes.
Viral conjunctivitis can often cause a watery discharge that may be clear, sticky, or slightly milky.
After that, the eyes will begin to improve on their own.
Swollen lymph nodes are less common but can occur with severegonorrheal infections.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis may be triggered by multiple causes, includingseasonal allergiesorfood allergies.
While excessive tearing is common, eye discharge is less so.
In severe cases, a rash can break out on the conjunctiva itself.
Mild cases, such as those involving chlorine or smoke, tend to improve within a day.
Exposure to harsher chemicals may take longer to resolve.
Vision loss may be temporary or permanent depending on the extent of the corneal injury.
Complications
Most cases of conjunctivitis are relatively mild and will not cause eye damage of any sort.
In rare cases, complications may develop that can be serious and even life-threatening.
This is especially true for school-age children who are common targets of community-transmitted viruses.
Typically bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious once symptoms start and for up to 48 hours after antibiotictreatmentbegins.
Allergic and chemical conjunctivitis are not contagious.
It depends on the cause.
Antibiotic eye drops can help clear up bacterial conjunctivitis.
When due to a virus or bacterium, conjunctivitis typically gets better after a week or two.
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