What are the symptoms of catarrhal conjunctivitis?

Generally, common symptoms of catarrhal conjunctivitis include itchy eyes, conjunctival congestion, increased eye discharge, eyelid swelling, and a foreign body sensation. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a reputable hospital. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Itchy Eyes

Itchy eyes are a typical symptom of catarrhal conjunctivitis, often affecting both eyes simultaneously with varying intensity. Some patients may feel compelled to rub their eyes. This symptom is usually caused by allergic reactions or infections stimulating the nerve endings in the conjunctiva, leading to nerve excitation and the sensation of itching, which can severely affect daily life and rest.

2. Conjunctival Congestion

Conjunctival congestion appears as obvious red blood vessels on the white part of the eye, with colors ranging from bright red to dark red. Inflammatory stimulation causes dilation of conjunctival blood vessels, increased blood flow, and heightened vascular permeability, resulting in visible congestion that directly reflects an inflamed state of the conjunctival tissue.

3. Increased Discharge

Increased discharge manifests as thick or watery secretions accumulating at the corners of the eyes, with characteristics varying depending on the underlying cause. Bacterial infections typically produce yellow, pus-like discharge, while viral infections tend to cause clear, watery, or serous discharge. Accumulated discharge may cause eyelids to stick together upon waking.

4. Eyelid Swelling

Eyelid swelling often accompanies conjunctival congestion and presents as edema and tightness of the eyelid skin. Inflammatory mediators spread into eyelid tissues, triggering local fluid exudation and resulting in swelling. Severe cases may impair normal eyelid opening and closing.

5. Foreign Body Sensation

A foreign body sensation makes patients feel as though small particles or sand are present in the eye, which cannot be relieved even with frequent blinking. Conjunctival inflammation leads to congestion and swelling of the ocular surface mucosa, or discharge adhering to the eye surface, irritating the cornea and conjunctiva and causing this uncomfortable sensation.

In addition, some patients may experience tearing and photophobia. In daily life, maintaining good eye hygiene and avoiding allergens and infectious agents can help reduce the risk of developing conjunctivitis.