Does conjunctivitis require a dietary restriction?

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

When we look at our phones and computers for long periods, it can lead to conjunctivitis due to eye strain. Among conjunctivitis cases, allergic conjunctivitis is the most common, especially during the spring and autumn seasons when symptoms like itchy eyes often occur. During such times, it is best to avoid spicy, irritating foods and seafood, as consuming these can exacerbate the itching. Additionally, if it is bacterial conjunctivitis, it is also recommended to limit the intake of spicy and irritating foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
58sec home-news-image

Trachoma conjunctivitis symptoms

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
36sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

According to the onset speed of conjunctivitis, it can be divided into hyperacute conjunctivitis, acute or subacute conjunctivitis, and chronic conjunctivitis. The symptoms of conjunctivitis mainly include foreign body sensation, burning sensation, itching eyes, photophobia, tearing, and significant signs include conjunctival congestion, edema, increased secretions, papillary hyperplasia, follicles, pseudomembranes and true membranes, granuloma, and so on.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
32sec home-news-image

How long is the incubation period for conjunctivitis?

Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis, caused by gonococci or meningococci, is characterized by a short incubation period of 10 hours to two to three days, with rapid disease progression. Acute or subacute bacterial conjunctivitis, also known as acute catarrhal conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, has a sudden onset with an incubation period of one to three days, affecting both eyes either simultaneously or one to two days apart.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
48sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qing
Ophthalmology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Conjunctivitis symptoms

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation that occurs in the thin layer of structure on the surface of the white eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis can be caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, fungi, parasites, etc., and by environmental factors like sand, smoke, ultraviolet exposure, and chemical injuries from acids, alkalis, or toxic gases. It can also be an inflammatory response of the conjunctiva due to allergic or systemic diseases including tuberculosis, syphilis, thyroid disorders, or surrounding tissues of the eye such as the cornea, sclera, eyelids, nasal cavity, and sinuses. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include red eyes, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, burning, itching, photophobia (sensitivity to light), tearing, and increased discharge. Sometimes it can also cause eye pain.