Chemical Conjunctivitis Eye Disorder Treatments, Symptoms, Causes

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Nick in Eye Health

Chemical Conjunctivitis Information:

Pink eye, itchiness, redness, blurred vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light are the most common of chemical conjunctivitis symptoms. This is the common eye infection of children. It is caused by viruses and bacteria. Chlorine and hydrogen chloride fumes are also the leading causes of this viral infection. This type of conjunctivitis hardly ever occurs and it usually doesn’t need treatment with the medications that we have available these days.  A proper knowledge of the treatment methods and symptoms of the disease can help fight the problem easily.

Chemical conjunctivitis is usually diagnosed based on a complete medical history and physical examination of one’s eye.

Eye drainage is usually not required, but it may be done to help confirm the cause of the infection. Until the symptoms have improved, people with the infection are advised not go to work or day care or school.

Here are some things you can do if the infection has been diagnosed.

  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Do not touch your eyes
  • Change your towel daily and do not share it with others
  • Change your bed sheet and pillow case daily
  • Do not use anybody else’s cosmetics
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions

Chemical conjunctivitis treatment requires gently flushing of the eyes with saline and may need topical steroids.

The treatment depends on the cause of infection. The patient who has conjunctivitis in one eye should have a prescription for both eyes to avoid spreading the infection. The worst-case scenario is the acute chemical injury that can lead to loss of the eye, intraocular damage, and severe scarring.

Chemical Conjunctivitis Prevention, Treatments:

Patients should take out their contacts before applying medicine to the eyes. Refrigerating medicated eye drops may help temporarily soothe eye discomfort.  Take some zinc as it supports the immune system and can help with infections. The same goes with goldenseal. Vitamin A or other sources of beta-carotene can help heal and soothe the outermost layer of the eyes. A chemical conjunctivitis that occurs again is a sign of vitamin A deficiency.

People with chemical conjunctivitis symptoms should not put anything in their eyes that has not been prescribed for them, and they should throw away eye drops after the bottle has been open for one month or more. Unless the cause is bacterial infection, you can soothe the conjunctivitis with warm compresses. Otherwise, you should use antibiotic ointments and drops. But you have to avoid using drops and ointments that contain neomycin. It’s quite common to see allergic sensitization to this antibiotic. You will need to get a ophthalmological consultation for any corneal ulceration.

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