Trachoma conjunctivitis symptoms

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Trachoma is a chronic infectious conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to blindness. During the acute phase in both eyes, symptoms include redness, pain, foreign body sensation, tearing, and purulent discharge, along with swollen lymph nodes, increased papillary formation in the palpebral conjunctiva, and multiple follicles covering the superior and inferior fornices. After the acute phase, which lasts one to two months, it enters a chronic phase where conjunctival congestion decreases, and the conjunctiva thickens with increased papillary and follicular formation. Complications in the later chronic stage mainly include entropion and trichiasis, eyelid ptosis, symblepharon, essential keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and chronic dacryocystitis leading to corneal opacity, among others.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Conjunctivitis and Keratitis Differences

Under normal circumstances, bacteria can reside in the conjunctival sac. Infection can occur when the pathogenicity of infecting bacteria is stronger than the host's defense capabilities, or when the host's defense capabilities are compromised. Patients with varying degrees of conjunctival hyperemia and purulent, mucoid, or mucopurulent secretions in the conjunctival sac should be suspected of bacterial conjunctivitis. Keratitis refers to the condition where the cornea's defense capabilities are reduced, and inflammation of the corneal tissue occurs due to external or endogenous pathogenic factors invading the cornea.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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What should you not eat if you have conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is characterized by conjunctival congestion, exudation, papillary hypertrophy, and follicle formation due to infection, allergies, or trauma. It is a common eye disease in ophthalmology, and generally does not severely affect vision. Patients with conjunctivitis should avoid spicy foods such as onions, leeks, garlic, chili peppers, lamb, dog meat, etc. It is also best for patients with conjunctivitis to consume less shrimp, crab, and other seafood that may exacerbate the condition. Additionally, patients should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Conjunctivitis is treated how?

Conjunctivitis is treated based on the cause, primarily with local medication and systemic treatment when necessary, and it is advisable to avoid bandaging the affected eye during the acute phase. First, eye drops are the most basic method of administering medication for treating conjunctivitis. Second, eye ointment should preferably be applied before bedtime. Third, when there is excessive secretion in the conjunctival sac, it is necessary to rinse the conjunctival sac. Fourth, severe conjunctivitis, such as gonococcal conjunctivitis, requires systemic treatment with antibiotics or sulfonamides.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Should people with conjunctivitis avoid certain foods?

Patients with conjunctivitis should avoid spicy foods, such as onions, leeks, garlic, chili peppers, lamb, dog meat, and other heat-inducing comfort foods, which are not conducive to the early recovery of the disease. Additionally, they should consume less shrimp, crab, and other seafood that may exacerbate the condition. Smoking is also prohibited due to the presence of nicotine in cigarettes, which constricts blood vessels and can worsen red eye, thus smoking must be strictly avoided. Furthermore, alcohol consumption should be avoided as it can prolong the disease.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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How should chronic conjunctivitis be treated?

Chronic conjunctivitis is a chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by various reasons, with complex etiology, mainly manifested as mild conjunctival congestion and a small amount of mucous secretion, often affecting both eyes. Chronic conjunctivitis is not self-limiting and can be difficult to treat. Treatment is targeted based on different causative factors, along with the appropriate use of antibiotic eye drops and ointments. In cases of chronic staphylococcal conjunctivitis, erythromycin responds quite well, while a broad-spectrum antibiotic eye drop, aminoglycoside eye drops, or ointments may be chosen for other bacterial causes. For cases where the above medications are ineffective, a conjunctival scraping can be performed for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, and the medication can be adjusted based on the results.