Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the outermost layer of the eye. The most common cause is viral infection by adenovirus, but can also be caused by allergens or bacterial infection. Typical symptoms include itching in the eye with redness, itching, and purulent discharge if bacterial infection. In general, vision is unaffected. Treatment is aimed at the underlying disorder: anti-allergic eye drops can be used for allergies; topical antibiotics are used for bacterial infection; viral infections often resolve by themselves, but certain infections like herpes virus keratitis require specialist care.