Conjunctivitis, popularly known as red eye disease, is one of the most common eye disorders in both children and adults. If conjunctivitis is not treated in a timely and correct manner, it can exacerbate and cause permanent eye damage.

Stating that bacterial or viral infections and allergic reactions are among the most common causes of conjunctivitis, Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Burcu Usta Uslu from Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi Hospital said, “Eye redness can occur for many reasons, but if it is an infectious redness, you should be very careful about its contagiousness and treatment, so the symptoms should be closely monitored.” Op. Dr. Burcu Usta Uslu listed the measures that can be taken to protect against conjunctivitis, a disease that can be easily transmitted from person to person or from one eye to another:

1. Do not go outside without sunglasses, especially on sunny days.
2. As soon as you come back from outside, wash your hands and face for at least 20 seconds without irritating them, rubbing them, and even take a bath if possible.
3. Apply cold compresses to your eyes from time to time.
4. Avoid dry eyes by using cooled artificial tears that do not contain preservatives.
5. In consultation with your doctor, use antihistamines, steroids, i.e. eye drops containing cortisone or immunomodulators such as cyclosporine.
6. Never scratch or rub your eyes vigorously, as this can damage the cornea and increase the risk of keratoconus and secondary contamination and infection.

November  2024