Currently, there is an epidemic of conjunctivitis (also known as “pink eye”) sweeping through Cameroon, causing more and more people to experience red, itchy, or watery eyes. In this article, we will explain what conjunctivitis is, why it occurs, how to prevent it, and how it can be treated.
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis occurs when a part of your eyes, called the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. This can happen for various reasons, depending on the types of conjunctivitis:
Types of conjunctivitis
There are several types of conjunctivitis, including:
- Infectious conjunctivitis: this occurs when microbes, such as bacteria or viruses, attack your eyes. This is what is happening with the current epidemic in Cameroon.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: this occurs when your eyes react to things you are allergic to, such as pollen or animal fur.
- Irritative conjunctivitis: this happens when your eyes are irritated by things like smoke, dust, or chemicals.
Signs of conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis can cause the following issues:
- Red eyes
- Itchy and stinging sensations
- Excessive, inexplicable tearing
- Sensation of something in the eye
- Discharge from the eyes, somewhat sticky
- Sensitivity to light
How to prevent conjunctivitis
There are things you can do to prevent conjunctivitis, especially during an epidemic:
- Wash your hands to avoid transferring microbes to your eyes.
- Protect your eyes if you work in a place with irritants. You can wear protective glasses.
- Avoid allergens (things that trigger allergies). If you often have allergies, try to avoid contact with what frequently triggers them.
How to treat conjunctivitis
The treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis:
- Infectious conjunctivitis: a Medical Doctor can prescribe medications to kill the microbes, such as antibiotics (if bacteria are responsible), or medications to reduce your discomfort if viruses are responsible (conjunctivitis caused by viruses heals spontaneously within about two weeks).
- Allergic conjunctivitis: a Medical Doctor can prescribe allergy medications.
- Irritative conjunctivitis: avoid what irritates your eyes or consult a Medical Doctor who can provide medications to relieve symptoms.
If you suspect you have conjunctivitis, consult a Medical Doctor for guidance. In Cameroon, the Ministry of Public Health has established a special telephone number called the “green number” that you can call if you show signs of conjunctivitis during this epidemic. Healthcare professionals will respond and explain what you should do. The green number is 1510, and you can call it every day of the week at any time.
If you think you have conjunctivitis, ask a doctor what you can do to treat it, ideally an ophthalmologist.
In Cameroon, the Ministry of Public Health has set up a special telephone number called the “green number” (toll-free number) which you can call if you have any signs of conjunctivitis during this epidemic period. Health professionals will answer and explain what you need to do. The freephone number is 1510, and you can call it any day of the week, at any time.
In our next article, we’ll be talking about the “home recipes” or “grandma’s remedies” often used to deal with conjunctivitis. See you soon!
Contributor to this article : Dr Emmanuel Mayi, Ophtalmologist
Dr Christelle Mpoulet, Freelance Writer (production of medical content combining scientific rigour and editorial clarity for an effective and impactful health communication).
Photo : Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
