Other name: Pink eye, Sore eyes

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the silky-smooth membrane that lines your eyelids and covers the whites of your eyes. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious; it usually begins in one eye, but can quickly spread to the other eye, other people and to you again once the initial infection has cleared. Even the pronounced redness of the eye can be quite alarming at first glance conjunctivitis very rarely causes long term visual damage.

Causes:

• Conjunctivitis may be caused by bacteria (on towels, washcloths, or your hands), viruses (such as cold viruses or herpes simplex), allergens (such as pollen), or irritants (such as smoke, pool chlorine, and air pollutants).
• Eye makeup can inflame sensitive tissues and cause or even transmit conjunctivitis.
• Overuse of nonprescription eye drops used to soothe your eyes has recently been discovered as one of the triggers of conjunctivitis.
• A deficiency of vitamin A may leave you more susceptible to infections and other eye problems.
• Contact lens. The lenses may trap particles in the eye or the lenses may be worn too long, causing irritation. Some people are allergic to contact lens cleaning solutions, especially those containing the preservative Thiomersal.
• Certain illnesses, such as measles, may trigger conjunctivitis.
• Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause conjunctivitis.

Symptoms:

• Redness of the eye or inner eyelids.
• Itchy, scratchy feeling
• Discharge and teariness. Discharge may cause eyelids to crust and stick together while sleeping
• Sensitivity to light

Prevention:

• Don't share towels, pillows, or washcloths with others, especially if they have conjunctivitis or other viral and bacterial conditions.
• Change pillowcases and bedding frequently.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your eyes.
• Avoid using the eye makeup of other people.
• Eat a healthy diet to boost your immune system to help prevent infection.

Remedy:

• Washing the eyes several times a day with cool water will soothe the inflammation.
• For temporary relief from the symptoms of infectious conjunctivitis, apply a warm, wet washcloth to your eyes for 5 or 10 minutes, three times a day. The moist warmth will help relieve pain and irritation. Launder washcloths and towels after each use.
• Aloe vera activator can give fast relief from conjunctivitis. Just put 2 drops of activator 3 times a day.
• Colloidal silver has been known to cure conjunctivitis eye as quickly as six hours. Spray CS into your eyes two to three times a day. You can also put one or two drops of colloidal silver in your eyes, two or three times a day if you can't find a spray bottle. Be sure to use a few days after healing to be safe.
• Lemon Juice. Use a clean eye dropper and put one to two drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice in the infected eye. This will sting and hurt but is well known to cause immediate improvement if you are looking for a really fast relief.
• Vitamin C promotes fast healing. Take 2,000-6, 000 mg 3x day.
• Make chamomile tea, keep it in fridge or cool it at room temperature, then use it to wash eyes two times in a day until the infection gets cure.
• Goldenseal herb is beneficial if the conjunctivitis is caused by an infection. Make a solution using 2 teaspoons of the herb to a cup of boiled water and use for a warm compress. May also be used as eye drops, 2-3 drops, three times daily.