Other names: red conjunctiva, conjunctival injection, conjunctival redness

Redness of the conjunctiva is a typical symptom of inflammation of the conjunctiva, orconjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis is a wide range, can be single or double-sided. According to divide these causes inflammations of infectious (bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal), and non-infectious (e.g., a permanent irritation of the conjunctiva), allergic furthermore, toxic like.

Despite a number of potential causes of inflammation, there are several symptoms typical for the disease. The first is the swelling of the eyelid on the affected side, which can mimic or drooping pseudoptózu. Another typical symptom is redness of the conjunctiva and foreign body sensation and pressure in the eye, as well as photophobia, lacrimation increased, and last but not least, enlargement of parotid glands.

Bacterial infections occur primarily in winter and spring, are accompanied by purulent secretions,conjunctival congestion and swelling of the eyelids. During heavy course and purulent secretions it is good to visit an eye doctor because of hyperacute and acute bacterial conjunctivitis may be complicated by the emergence of keratitis or corneal ulcer formation, which results in damage to visual functions. The doctor inflammation of bacterial origin prescribes antibiotics.

Viral conjunctivitis is one of the most common types of inflammation are accompanied by a feeling of sand in the eyes, mucous rather than purulent secretions and the like. The most common cause of this inflammation is adenovirus. Adenoviral inflammation is a highly infectious disease, especially in the first ten days of illness. Effective therapy of viral inflammation exists. In the acute phase of the disease are served cold compresses, vasoconstrictor drugs and steroids. The length of inflammation and its outcome have these drugs influence.

Faryngokonjuktivální fever occurs in children related to upper respiratory infections. Another important factor is the presence of fever. The disease is also reflected precisely reddening of the conjunctiva.

In third world countries is another cause conjunctival redness and consequent severe damage to visual functions (up to blindness), trachoma. The world is this disease affected 400 million people. It does not currently exist, but due to increased migration of the population can its occurrence in the near future expect.

Finally, it must be said that the redness of the conjunctiva can have many causes, it is an important time (how long it takes redness) and clinical course of the disease. At large eye pain, pus and the like need to see a doctor. Mild and transient conjunctival redness may arise from a variety of causes eg. Irritation of cigarette smoke, hygiene agents that get into the eye like. Such reddening do not require a doctor’s visit.