conjunctivitis (kənjəngtəvī`təs), inflammation or infection of the mucosal membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid, usually acute, caused by a virus or, less often, by a bacillus, an allergic reaction, or an irritating chemical. Commonly called pinkeye, mild conjunctivitis usually causes redness, discharge, and itching of the membrane. Conjunctivitis may also be associated with upper respiratory infection or with childhood diseases such as measles. Bacterial forms of the disorder, whether chronic or acute, are treated successfully with antibiotics, and although viral conjunctivitis will clear up on its own in 8 to 10 days, antibiotic eyedrops or ointments are often prescribed for most cases of the disease in order to prevent bacterial conjunctivitis. Trachoma trachoma , infection of the mucous membrane of the eyelids caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Trachoma infects more than 150 million people worldwide.
..... Click the link for more information. , though rare in the United States, is a severe conjunctivitis that can cause loss of vision. Another severe form of conjunctivitis is caused by the gonococcus bacterium and is usually associated with a genital infection. Conjunctivitis in newborn infants, called ophthalmia neonatorum, was a problem at one time; however, routine instillation of silver nitrate solution into the eyes of newborn infants has materially reduced the incidence of blindness.

conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the delicate lining of the eyelids and the front of the white of the eye. It may be caused by infection (when it is commonly called “pink eye”), chemical burn, physical injury, or allergy. Often the cornea is also inflamed (keratoconjunctivitis). Infectious causes include several viruses and bacteria, including those that cause trachoma and gonorrhea, both of which can lead to blindness. Conjunctivitis from erythema multiforme, a skin eruption, can also cause blindness.

conjunctivitis

inflammation of the conjunctiva

conjunctivitis [kən‚jəŋk·tə′vīd·əs]

(medicine)

Inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Conjunctivitis

inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease. It may be exogenous or endogenous in origin; the former is more frequent. Exogenous conjunctivitis is caused by various microbes, including streptococci, staphylococci, the diphtheria bacillus, and gonococci. The Koch-Weeks bacillus and the Morax-Axenfeld diplococcus are specific for conjunctivitis. The cause is also often viral infection. In addition, the condition may result from mechanical irritation, such as by foreign bodies, from exposure to heat, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, or chemical agents.

Endogenous conjunctivitides arise in the presence of systemic infections (measles, scarlet fever), inflammations of the nasopharynx or teeth, or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or liver. There are also allergic conjunctivitides.

Conjunctivitis is classified as either acute or chronic, according to its course. Acute conjunctivitis is manifested by a purulent discharge from the eye and redness (hyperemia) of the palpebral and ocular conjunctivae and sometimes by punctate hemorrhages under the conjunctiva and conjunctival edema. In some cases the surface of the conjunctiva becomes rough, a result of the appearance in it of ridged formations, or follicles, and papillae. Chronic conjunctivitis shows moderate changes in the conjunctiva. Most notable are subjective sensations, such as a feeling of dust in the eye and photophobia. Conjunctivitis is treated with sulfanilamides and antibiotic eyedrops. Hormonal (corticosteroid) preparations are used in some cases. In cases with purulent discharge the eyes are irrigated with boric acid solution or with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

L. A. KATSNEL’SON

Conjunctivitis in animals is most often observed as a symptom of various other diseases. The causes of independent conjunctivitides in animals may be mechanical, chemical, or radiant irritants or the causative agents of certain infectious diseases. The principal manifestation is conjunctival hyperemia. The condition is treated by eliminating the primary causes and using antiseptic solutions.

REFERENCES

Arkhangel’skii, V. N. Glaznye bolezni, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1969. Pages 124–33.
Mnogotomnoe rukovodstvo po glaznym bolezniam, vol. 2, book 1. Moscow, 1960. Pages 46–186.

Mentioned in	?		Encyclopedia browser	?		Full browser	?
No references found			primary area primary atypical pneumonia primary basalt primary battery primary beam primary biliary cirrhosis primary blasting primary body Primary Body Cavity primary branch primary breaker primary cache primary carbon atom primary cell primary center Primary Chronicle primary circle primary circuit primary circulation primary circulation areas primary clay primary coil Primary Colors primary compression primary compression failure primary conjunctivitis primary consolidation primary constriction primary consumer primary contract primary control program Primary Cortex primary cosmic rays primary crater primary creep primary crusher primary culture primary cyclone primary decomposition primary detector primary dip primary distribution feeder Primary Domain Controller primary drilling primary election primary electron primary emission primary energy primary entrance primary excavation primary explosive			Primary Colors (book) Primary colour Primary colour Primary colour primary colour for light primary colour for pigments Primary colours Primary Combat Function Primary Command-and-Control Single-Channel Primary commodities Primary commodities Primary commodities Primary commodities Primary commodities Primary Common Control Physical Channel Primary Common Pilot Channel Primary Compensation Premium primary complex primary complex primary complex primary complex primary complex of Ranke primary complex of Ranke primary complex of Ranke primary complex of Ranke Primary Component Analysis Primary Component Cooling primary compression primary compression failure Primary Congenital Lymphedema primary conjunctivitis primary consolidation primary constituent Primary Constituent Element primary constriction primary constriction primary consumer primary consumer Primary consumers Primary Contact Point Primary Contactor Driver Module Primary Containment Combustible Gas Control Primary Containment Isolation System Primary Containment Isolation Valve primary contract Primary Control Primary Control Primary Control Primary Control & Analysis Center Primary Control Assembly Primary Control Center Primary Control Element primary control officer primary control officer Primary Control Program Primary Control Program primary control ship primary control ship Primary Controlling Authority Primary Conveyor Primary Coolant Activity

Conjunctivitis (redirected from primary conjunctivitis)

conjunctivitis

REFERENCES

Conjunctivitis
(redirected from primary conjunctivitis)