Talk:Conjunctivitis

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Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment[edit]

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 6 September 2018 and 13 December 2018. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Francis Beaverhausen, Arosenwald1. Peer reviewers: Jackbow, Mandalea.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 18:19, 16 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Naming[edit]

Hi all, The term 'pink eye' is mentioned at the beginning of the article as a something conjunctivitis is commonly called. Being from Australia, I've never heard anyone use that term, except on South Park. We only call it conjunctivitis. To keep the article more formal, accurate and universal, should the term 'pink eye' appear in the definition only? Cheers.

202.7.195.164 (talk) 09:13, 29 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Much of the world calls it pink eye not just the US therefore it is appropriate in the lead.Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 07:03, 12 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]
what's "much of the world" mean? The UK doesn't use the term 'pink eye' either86.153.207.2 (talk) 21:16, 29 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]
In China, residents always use pink eye to name conjunctivitis. 38.207.128.37 (talk) 15:35, 26 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, I tried searching for "sore eyes" on Wikipedia but what I've got is just a search page and the results doesn't seem to refer to the eye inflammation at all. I tried googling for its medical term, and it seems that it is "conjunctivitis", which might refer to the common bacterial (or something) sore eyes as we know. Can we have a redirect page so that when the user searches for sore eyes he/she would be automatically redirected here? Chitetskoy (talk) 03:09, 13 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

We could use an article on Eye pain. Feel free to create it. Sore eyes is a symptom not a disease so should not redirect here.Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 06:04, 13 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Comments[edit]

The blurry and photoshoped pictures suck. they need to be replaced with real pictures that are in focus. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Proepro (talkcontribs) 21:47, 14 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What Causes Pink Eye?

Conjunctivitis is most often triggered by fecial bacteria or poop in the eye, an allergic reaction (to dust, pollen, smoke, fumes or chemicals), or in the case of giant papillary conjunctivitis, a foreign body on the eye, typically a contact lens. Bacterial and viral systemic infections also may induce conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis is caused by fecal matter? Does anyone have a source for this besides a fictional movie? The article goes so far as to claim that this is "generally" the cause of bacterial conjunctivitis. Let's verify this or remove it. Ceresly (talk) 09:03, 14 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Pink Eye Treatment

Avoidance. Your first line of defense is to avoid the cause of conjunctivitis. Other methods of treatment, such as, flushing one's eye with a bleach solution have been known to work. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis spread easily to others. Here are some tips to avoid spreading the conditions or re-infecting yourself:


Pink Eye Symptoms and Signs

The most used method to decrease the risk of pink eye is to wash your hands each time you use a restroom or are in a situation where you may be in direct contact with fecial matter.

The most obvious symptom of pink eye is, of course, a pink eye. The pink or red color is due to inflammation. Your eye may also hurt or itch.

How can you tell what type of pink eye you have? The way your eyes feel will give some clues:


Viral conjunctivitis usually affects only one eye and causes excessive eye watering and a light discharge.

Bacterial conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes a heavy discharge, sometimes greenish.

Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes itching and redness in the eyes and sometimes the nose, as well as excessive tearing.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) usually affects both eyes and causes contact lens intolerance, itching, a heavy discharge, tearing and red bumps on the underside of the eyelids.

To pinpoint the cause and then choose an appropriate treatment, your doctor will ask some questions, examine your eyes, and possibly collect a sample on a swab to send out for analysis. Give a careful account of the episode, because oftentimes your answers alone will reveal the diagnosis.The three most common types of conjunctivitis are: viral, allergic, and bacterial. Each requires different treatments. With the exception of the allergic type, conjunctivitis is typically contagious.


What is PINK EYE? - Pink eye / conjunctivitis is a general term referring to an irritation or infection of the membrane which covers the eye and the inside of the eyelid (conjunctiva). - Pink eye / conjunctivitis is quite common and involves all age groups. - Problems with the eye can be serious, so inspection by a doctor is necessary for a correct diagnosis. - Pink eye / conjunctivitis typically starts in one eye and may spread to the other. - Certain types of pink eye (Infectious conjunctivitis) are very contagious and steps must be made to avoid it's spread. - Infectious conjunctivitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Fungi, parasites, and chlamydia may also be a cause of infectious conjunctivitis. - Noninfectious conjunctivitis is usually caused by allergies or mechanical irritants.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.182.237.9 (talkcontribs) 01:23, 23 February 2006 (UTC).[reply]

Length of Symptoms?[edit]

std[edit]

can this be considered an std?Qrc2006 09:36, 22 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

NO ! Although:
  1. neonatal conjunctivitis requires consideration if may be due to chlamydia acquired during vaginal delivery. But this is not being spread to the baby by engaging in sex, but it is a consequence and marker for STD in another individual (i.e. the mother).
  2. Gonorrhoeal infections from ejaculation over the face is apparently an occupational hazzard for prostitutes.
But neither of these makes conjunctivitis primarily a STD. David Ruben Talk 13:18, 22 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

131.241.8.250 22:55, 17 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hopefully someone can fix vandalized article. Here is a quote to the offending piece: Acute allergic conjunctivitis is typically itchy,Brad Rodgers likes it up the bum every night.

131.241.8.250 22:55, 17 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Adenovirus transmission[edit]

"It may also be caused by adenoviruses which was first identified in Chennai (Madras), India, during early 20th Century, hence the name "Madras Eye".[2] This disease mostly appears during Rainy season and during winter months and spreads faster via air due to increased dampness and humidity.[3]"

Conjunctivitis is usually spread by direct contact not by aerosol transmission. Perhaps there is a different mode of transmission in India, but the cited article is not an adequate reference for this. I will modify the section, unless a better reference is provided. —Preceding unsigned comment added by PedEye1 (talkcontribs) 14:10, August 29, 2007 (UTC)

Question about causes[edit]

There is a statement that prompts a question, "the excess amount of fecal matter in your tear duct." Exactly when does the amount of fecal matter in one's eye go from the appropriate amount to an excessive amount? I am unaware about the tolerable levels of ocular feces. Grey Hodge 17:05, 24 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Agree - unsupported nonsense removed. David Ruben Talk 18:43, 24 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Giant papillary conjunctivitis[edit]

Giant papillary conjunctivitis redirects here, although there is no mention of it on the page. Ged3000 (talk) 12:05, 20 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I redirected it to Allergic conjunctivitis, which has a small section about it. Cmcnicoll (talk) 04:52, 28 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]
my daughter has it and i dont know weather to take her off school of not??  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.106.36.73 (talk) 07:23, 7 October 2012 (UTC)[reply] 

Transmission?[edit]

Can someone write if pink eye is contagious and what ways it can be transmitted and contracted? I have absolutely no experience in the matter but would like to see the info. i hear its from poop in the eye or someone farts on your pillow. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.210.231.151 (talk) 08:34, 7 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]


It doesn't make you go crosseyed ...[edit]

but the picture at the start of symptoms makes it look like it does! Does anyone have a different one ...? Malcolmcoles (talk) 10:29, 29 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Acute Conjunctivitis illustrate severe redness of eye due to conjunctivitis Red0 0eye (talk) 11:58, 16 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

breast milk used to relieve the symptoms?[edit]

"In past times breast milk was often used to relieve the symptions[sic] of conjunctivitis." Interesting factoid, but I would like to see a reference for this statement. Could the contributor add a source for this? 210.213.197.237 (talk) 09:09, 19 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]


Virus or Bacteria?[edit]

At the start this article says conjunctivitis is normally caused by a virus, and later that it is normally by bacteria. I realise it can be caused by both but surely we can't say "normally" and not be consistent? 131.111.186.95 (talk) 09:39, 27 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The "causes" section is poorly written, poorly referenced, and seems to contain popular misconceptions. Editing is needed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.69.148.222 (talk) 14:10, 16 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well, and a lot of the material in the first several sections is repetitive and unclear, too. I'm not really sure why it's divided as it is. What's the difference between a sign and a symptom? I really haven't the knowledge to attempt an edit here, though. Anyone?? 12.76.204.22 (talk) 09:19, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Find some reviews thru www.pubmed.com and feel free. Lots needs to be done.Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 16:29, 16 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis[edit]

Should this be mentioned ? -- Beardo (talk) 13:06, 31 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It gets better after a while —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.231.168.205 (talk) 15:11, 12 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

pink eye[edit]

It makes sense to have pink eye redirect here, but I redirected pinkeye to the viral conjunctivitis subsection, to make it more accurate.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/522242, "Classic "pink eye," or, more appropriately, acute follicular conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus"

http://www.ampath.co.za/antibiotguide/chapter12.htm, "Viral conjunctivitis (“pink-eye”)

Both of these links are in the article.

Both are referred to as pink eye [1].Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 05:02, 22 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
A little more participation in the discussion is going to be needed to convince me of that. There are several verifiable sources here, but you have produced none of your own. I am not saying that that term shouldn't be used here, just that it should be used more accurately. Thanks, Aaron mcd (talk) 22:35, 23 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I have provided a reference. It is the one labelled [1] above. Pink eye is a lay term and thus it meaning is used here as by lay people. Conjunctivitis is the technical term. Here is a second one [2] --Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 16:06, 24 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

"Pink eye" generally refers to viral conjunctivitis, as seen in the sources I provided (the 2 mentioned above). I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, I'm sure you're quite knowledgeable on the subject. It is obvious that your source was written for the layperson, and I'm not saying that "pink eye" shouldn't be redirected to this article. Perhaps we can compromise? I think "pink eye" deserves mention in the lede, clarifying what it refers to. Thanks, Aaron mcd (talk) 01:40, 25 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

No worries I do not mind debating issues. Pinkeye is a layperson term not a technical one. This encyclopedia needs to mesh both the technical with the general. The mayo clinic is a good enough source to reference a point like this. We could discuss the distinction that some people use pink eye to refer to viral conjunctivitis only and some people use it to refer to all conjunctivitis. I read an interesting paper recently that said that regardless of the cause of conjunctivitis that it is appropriate to manage it conservatively for 3 days similar to ear aches. We rarely determine the cause by doing swabs except in the cause of newborns.Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 16:22, 25 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Reviews[edit]

  • Cronau H, Kankanala RR, Mauger T (2010). "Diagnosis and management of red eye in primary care". Am Fam Physician. 81 (2): 137–44. PMID 20082509. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sauer A, Speeg-Schatz C, Bourcier T (2008). "[Red eye in children]". Rev Prat (in French). 58 (4): 353–7. PMID 18506971. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Chigbu DI (2009). "The management of allergic eye diseases in primary eye care". Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 32 (6): 260–72. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2009.08.002. PMID 19879797. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  • Origlieri C, Bielory L (2009). "Emerging drugs for conjunctivitis". Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 14 (3): 523–36. doi:10.1517/14728210903103818. PMID 19708819. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  • Oliver GF, Wilson GA, Everts RJ (2009). "Acute infective conjunctivitis: evidence review and management advice for New Zealand practitioners". N. Z. Med. J. 122 (1298): 69–75. PMID 19680306.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • O'Brien TP, Jeng BH, McDonald M, Raizman MB (2009). "Acute conjunctivitis: truth and misconceptions". Curr Med Res Opin. 25 (8): 1953–61. doi:10.1185/03007990903038269. PMID 19552618. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sethuraman U, Kamat D (2009). "The red eye: evaluation and management". Clin Pediatr (Phila). 48 (6): 588–600. doi:10.1177/0009922809333094. PMID 19357422. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 09:03, 10 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318 - JAMA this week. JFW | T@lk 22:18, 23 October 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Invitation to edit[edit]

It is proposed that Conjunctivitis be part of the trial of a new template; see the green strip at the top of Pain where it has been in place for a couple of months. The purpose of this project is to encourage readers to edit, while equipping them with the basic tools. If you perceive a problem with this, or have any suggestions for improvement, please discuss at the project talk page --Anthonyhcole (talk) 09:52, 10 January 2011 (UTC).[reply]

Missing word or wrong grammar?[edit]

In the Management - Bacterial section, I think there is a word missing from the phrase "or who have very discharge". Any idea what it should be, or how else to fix the phrase/sentence? - ZeniffMartineau (talk) 03:21, 16 February 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Inappropriate restoration[edit]

In this edit some content was restored after I'd removed it. This content makes medical claims without adequate sourcing for this type of content and also contains inappropriate external links. I'm not going to edit war, but rather follow the recommended bold, revert, discuss cycle. I suggest that Neal2121 should self-revert and discuss the controversial edit here. -- Scray (talk) 03:25, 6 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

History[edit]

There is a section that is currently at the end of the article that deals with historical aspects of conjunctivitis. It is only one sentence long, claim is made that "Kirk Patrick, was the first to have found the adenovirus that caused conjunctivitis" on the basis of a quote given within a Times of India article from 2011.[3] While the source might support "Madras Eye" as a synonym, the claim about historical understanding lacks important details and doesn't fit with other published literature. For example, the 2015 Jhanji review has a section on microbiological characteristics (on page 247) that begins by describing part of the basic timeline in the advances of understanding around adenoviruses. Adenoviruses were first isolated by Rowe et al in 1953. Two years later Jawetz et al published on epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Drchriswilliams (talk) 19:42, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Radiation?[edit]

I seem to remember reading somewhere about radiation poisoning causing a form of conjunctivitis. I can't find the source of this. Can someone confirm or debunk this? The page on Radiation Burns mentions eye irritation in passing, but I'm not sure if they are talking about the same thing. 76.208.70.30 (talk) 02:21, 15 July 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Yes it does. Often you see it from welding. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 03:15, 15 July 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Global distribution and frequency[edit]

I keep seeing statistics and information exclusive to the US, and little information on the rest of the world.
Did I not notice it, or is it missing?

Wikiduck81 (talk) 10:10, 17 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]