Conjunctivitis
About two-thirds of New Zealanders will have an eye problem at some stage. A major cause of eye problems is conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the ‘conjunctiva’ – the wet surfaces of the white of the eye and the inner eyelids.
There are three types of conjunctivitis – allergic, bacterial and viral. They can be difficult to tell apart and each is treated differently. Always seek medical advice if you have red or painful eyes, or they have any unusual discharge.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is usually caused by triggers, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander (hair and dead skin cells), cosmetics or preservatives in eye drops.
Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis:
Itchy, burning, sore red eyes with puffy eyelids
Dark pouches below eyes
Watery eyes
Other symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing and a blocked or runny nose (see also hayfever).
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, and is very contagious, commonly infecting other family members.
Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis:
Red, burning, sore or gritty eyes with puffy eyelids
Symptoms start suddenly and may affect one eye before the other
Your eyelids may be stuck together when you wake up, or there may be yellow discharge coming from your eyes.
Viral conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus and can be contagious. Sometimes it is accompanied by cold or flu symptoms.
Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis:
Eyes are red, sore and gritty, and can be watery
Itchy and swollen eyes
Crusty eyelids.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If you have a weakened immune system, serious medical condition, or the person with the conjunctivitis is elderly or a child, always talk to the pharmacist. Also talk to the pharmacist if:
Your eye/s are painful, sensitive to light, you see colour around lights or your sight is affected
Only one eye is affected
You have strangely shaped pupils or cloudy eyes
Your eyes have a discharge, such as pus
You have other symptoms, such as headache, vomiting or a rash
Your eyes do not respond to treatment, or improve in two days
You have had the problem before
You think the problem was caused by something stuck in your eye
You have a cold sore, herpes or shingles
You are pregnant or breastfeeding – some medicines may not be suitable
You have allergies to any medicines
You wear contact lenses.
Treatment Tips
Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis
Do not wear contact lenses with some eye drops – check with your pharmacist
Throw eye drop bottles away one month after opening – mark the date you open them on the bottle (check product details as some eye drops can only be used for shorter periods)
If you are using more than one type of eye drops, leave 10 minutes between applications
Some eye drops can cause temporary stinging, if this continues talk to your pharmacist
Protect your eyes from wind and sun by wearing sunglasses.
Tips for applying eye drops
Always wash your hands first
Pull your lower eyelid down gently with your index finger to form a pocket – tilt your head back slightly and look up
Hold the bottle between your thumb and index finger and squeeze gently to release the recommended number of drops into your eye pouch
Do not touch your eye with the dropper tip
Do not blink, as this draws eye drops into the tear duct and out of the eye
Close your eye and press gently over the corner, near your nose, to stop the drops draining through your tear duct
Wait 10 minutes before adding other eye products
Use eye drops before eye ointment.
Tips for applying eye ointment
Hold the tube between your thumb and index finger and rest your hand against the base of your nose, to position the tube tip
Apply a small blob of ointment into your lower eyelid pocket
Do not touch the eye with the tube tip.
Treatment Options
Always discuss treatment options with a pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Avoid triggers (e.g., pollen, animal dander) where possible
Apply a cold flannel to soothe eyes.
Antihistamines – to treat and prevent symptoms
Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with antihistamine tablets or eye drops.
When you have an allergic reaction your body releases histamine, which leads to ‘allergic’ symptoms
You can prevent the allergic reaction by taking antihistamines when you are around triggers, such as pollen or pet dander.
Antihistamine tablets or syrups
For product information on antihistamine tablets and syrups see our Hayfever topic and look at the section under Treatment Options – Oral antihistamines tablets and syrups (you can also ask your pharmacist for advice).
Antihistamine eye drops
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Livostin, Zaditen
Antihistamine eye drops with a decongestant
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Albalon A Allergy (Eye Drops), Clear Eyes Allergy, Visine Allergy Eye Drops
Some eye drops contain an antihistamine (such as pheniramine) to stop itching and a decongestant (such as naphazoline) to take away redness
Some eye drops cause temporary stinging
Limit using combination eye drops to no more than three days to avoid‘rebound’ redness from overuse.
Other eye drops - to prevent allergy symptoms
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Cromolux, Lomide Eye Drops
These prevent allergic reactions in the eyes and need to be used four times per day for the entire time you are exposed to triggers, such as during spring.
Sterilised wipes
e.g., Little Eyes Gentle Cleansing Wipes
Sterilised wipes may be used to gently clean around the eyes.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bathe eyelids with warm water or saline and use warm flannels
Do not share face cloths, towels or eye drops
Dispose of tissues carefully
Do not use decongestant eye drops as they can mask redness and infection.
Sterilised wipes
e.g., Little Eyes Gentle Cleansing Wipes
Sterilised wipes may be used to gently clean around the eyes.
Eye drops and ointment to treat bacterial conjunctivitis
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Brolene Eye Drops
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
e.g., Arrowcare Chlorafast, Bleph-10, Chlorsig eye ointment
Bacterial conjunctivitis can resolve without treatment; however, antibacterial eye drops or ointments may speed your recovery
For the best effect use drops or ointment every few hours, according to instructions, and clean away discharge before applying
Some people may be allergic to the contents of eye drops, so check with your pharmacist before taking
If conjunctivitis persists, see your doctor for further treatment.
Viral conjunctivitis
Don’t share face-cloths, towels or eye drops
Dispose of tissues carefully
Use lubricating eye drops to soothe the eyes.
Sterilised wipes
e.g., Little Eyes Gentle Cleansing Wipes
Sterilised wipes may be used to gently clean around the eyes.
Lubricant eye drops
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Bion Tears, Blink Intensive Tears, Refresh Contacts, Refresh Liquigel, Refresh Plus, Refresh Tears Plus, Systane,Tears Again, Thera Tears
Eye drops with a decongestant
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Albalon Relief, Albalon A Allergy (also contains an antihistamine), Clear Eyes, Optrex Red Eyes Eye Drops, Prefrin Liquifilm Eye Drops, Visine Advanced Relief, Visine Clear
Viral conjunctivitis generally resolves by itself
Lubricating eye drops and bathing the eyes can be soothing.
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
