Conjunctivitis is a common condition in which the thin transparent skin across the front of the eye becomes inflamed. Symptoms include your eyes feeling gritty, redness, and a discharge which will be either watery or quite sticky. Conjunctivitis may be caused by bacterial or viral infection or an allergy. Viral conjunctivitis often occurs after a cold or sore throat, and the discharge tends to be watery. It will resolve itself after a couple of weeks. The bacterial form is similar, but discharge tends to be a little more yellowish and you may find your eyelids are stuck together when you wake up in the morning. This usually goes away after a week or so, but antibiotic drops may help it go away a little more quickly. These infectious types of conjunctivitis are highly contagious so it's very important to avoid sharing towels and flannels, and do your best to make sure that any discharge on your lashes is removed using a cotton wool bud. With the allergic form of conjunctivitis the main symptom is itching. It also produces a discharge that tends to be watery, and occurs more in the summer when patients with hayfever are exposed to pollen. Your GP or your pharmacist may recommend antihistamines or antihistamine eye drops. If you suffer from any of these symptoms your optometrist will be able to tell you what kind of conjunctivitis you're suffering from and advise on the best course of action.
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