The conjunctiva is a thin transparent layer that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and also covers the white are in the eye. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation or irritation of the conjunctiva. It may affect one or both eyes and can be due to a viral or bacterial infection. It may also develop due to irritation or as an allergic reaction.
Patients usually complain of a gritty feeling in the affected eye, itching or burning sensation, excessive tearing, increased discharge, swelling of the eyelids, reddish or pink discoloration of the eyes and increased sensitivity to bright lights.
It has been theorized that infections of the structures in the eyes are more common in diabetics. Despite the widespread assumption that people with diabetes are more prone to eye infections, there is very little literature or evidence that supports this statement.
In a recent study that was conducted over a duration of 6 years and included nearly one million subjects, it was found that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with a higher incidence of conjunctivitis. However, high blood glucose was not found to be a major contributor to eye infections. Despite the correlation found between the increased incidence of conjunctivitis and diabetes, it was not found between diabetes and other types of eye infections.
Conjunctivitis is categorized based on the cause. The three main causes of conjunctivitis are allergic conjunctivitis (seasonal or due to the presence of a foreign substance in the eye), infectious conjunctivitis (viral, bacterial), and chemical conjunctivitis (due to irritants such as air pollution, chlorine in pools or exposure to chemicals).
Conjunctivitis is diagnosed with the collaboration of the patient’s history and the examination 
of the eye. The aim of treatment in conjunctivitis is to decrease discomfort, reduce the inflammation and the duration of the disease, and prevent the spread if it is the contagious form.
Prevention of conjunctivitis includes not wearing contact lens as much, hand hygiene, and avoid sharing eye makeup, and rubbing your eyes. To stop the spread of conjunctivitis, hand hygiene is important, and all eye cosmetics should be discarded. Proper contact lens care should be taught to all patients who wear it.
[expand title=”References“]
Conjunctivitis. American Optometric Association. Accessed 3/2/2017.
Ansari AS, de Lusignan S, Arrowsmith B, Hinton W, Munro N, McGovern A. Association between diabetes, level of glycemic control, and eye infection: a cohort study. Diabetes Care. 2016; dc162320.
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