What should I do if my “pink eye” has caused severe damage to the eye’s membrane?
Jun 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
In cases of conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) where the ocular surface is severely inflamed or ulcerated, irrigation with normal saline may be used. Because acute conjunctivitis is often accompanied by copious ocular discharge, drug therapy alone is insufficient. Meticulous eye care and maintaining ocular hygiene are critically important. The eyes should be irrigated—or given an eye bath—using sterile normal saline or boric acid solution, followed by instillation of prescribed eye drops to ensure optimal therapeutic efficacy.
“Red eye disease” is a colloquial term for acute conjunctivitis, named for the markedly reddened appearance of the patient’s sclera (the “white of the eye”). Narrowly defined, hemorrhagic conjunctivitis refers specifically to epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, which occurs frequently during summer and autumn. Broadly speaking, the term encompasses both acute bacterial conjunctivitis and acute viral conjunctivitis. So, what should be done if the conjunctiva becomes severely damaged or ulcerated in red eye disease?
What to do when the conjunctiva is severely damaged or ulcerated in red eye disease
In cases where the conjunctiva is severely damaged or ulcerated, irrigation with normal saline is recommended. Acute conjunctivitis is often accompanied by copious ocular discharge; therefore, relying solely on medication is insufficient. Meticulous eye care and maintaining ocular hygiene are critically important. The eyes should be irrigated—either via gentle lavage or an eye bath—using sterile normal saline or boric acid solution, followed by instillation of prescribed eye drops to maximize therapeutic efficacy. During the initial phase of acute conjunctivitis, cold compresses applied to the eyes can help reduce swelling and redness. In contrast, warm compresses may exacerbate ocular hyperemia, potentially spreading inflammation and worsening the condition.
When inflammation remains uncontrolled, corticosteroid eye drops should be avoided—especially in cases of viral conjunctivitis, for which they are strictly contraindicated. Thus, corticosteroid eye drops must only be used under the explicit guidance of an ophthalmologist and never self-administered.
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