Conjunctivitis is a common condition which causes the surface of your eye to go red and, often, sticky or watery and your eye becomes sore.
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Conjunctivitis can be caused by infection from bacteria, viruses or other organisms, and also by allergy or inflammation.
Viral conjunctivitis tends to cause a watery red eye and can last for two to three weeks even with the correct treatment. In most cases viral conjunctivitis does not affect your vision but rarely you might notice your vision becomes blurry or you may see glare when looking at lights. This is due to an inflammatory reaction causing small white dots on the cornea, the transparent window at the front of the eye. These usually fade with time, but it can take a few weeks or even months.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to cause a red eye with a sticky yellow discharge.
There is no antiviral medication for viral conjunctivitis and it does not respond to antibiotic drops as it is not caused by bacteria. The best treatment for viral conjunctivitis is to use artificial tears and simple painkillers, with regular lid cleaning and cold compresses. The conjunctivitis disappears when your body becomes immune to the virus and fights the germs off, just as in a cold or ‘flu. Very rarely, steroid drops are given for severe cases of viral conjunctivitis or when the cornea is affected.
Antibiotic drops can be helpful in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis and are often prescribed for a one or two-week course.
Contact lenses should not be worn during any type of conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis is contagious and spreads very easily by water droplets (coughing, sneezing) or contact with tissues, flannels, towels, pillowcases and so on. For that reason, it’s really important to wash your hands frequently and dispose of tissues after use to prevent the condition from spreading to other family members or work colleagues.
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New Patient Team: 0800 328 3421Conjunctivitis consultants
Mr John Brookes
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Martin Watson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Pei-Fen Lin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Frank Larkin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Praveen Patel
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Kamran Saha
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Zubin Saihan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Jaheed Khan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Maria Theodorou
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Miss Emma Jones
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Saab Bhermi
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr George Voyatzis
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Anant Sharma
Consultant ophthalmic surgeon (private practice in Bedford only)
Professor Mariya Moosajee
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Dr Erika Damato
Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist
Mr Sajjad Ahmad
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr George Saleh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Su-yin Koay
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Niaz Islam
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Daniel Ezra
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Romil Patel
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Michel Michaelides
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Badrul Hussain
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Jimmy Uddin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr David Verity
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Rajesh Deshmukh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Swan Kang
Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon
Mr Raj Das-Bhaumik
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
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Cataract surgery: What type of lens replacement is right for me?Written by Mr Saab Bhermi, Consultant Ophthalmic SurgeonPaying for treatment
Private Medical InsuranceIf you are covered by private medical insurance, please verify the details with your insurer prior to arrival and if possible, obtain a pre-authorisation number.
Self payYou don’t have to be insured to come to Moorfields Private. Many of our patients pay for their own treatment.
Interest free payment plansWe offer payment plans via a 3rd party provider for the majority of cases within the following procedures:
- Laser eye surgery
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
- Cataract surgery (unilateral and bilateral)
- Squint (Strabismus) surgery
- Glaucoma surgery
- Retinal examination under anaesthetic (City Road only)
- Photodynamic therapy (New Cavendish Street only)
You are able to apply for interest free payment plans for over up to ten months, subject to a credit check and Terms and Conditions. No deposit is required.
For more information please speak to your consultant’s practice manager prior to your consultation.
Third party sponsorshipIf a company, employer or other third party agrees to settle your account, they will be required to provide a letter of guarantee along with a deposit.