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Overview Of Pseudomembranous Conjunctivitis
Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis is a condition that causes a thin membrane to form on the surface of the eye. It can trigger symptoms like blurred vision, along with eye swelling and discharge.
"Pseudomembrane" is a medical term used to describe a plaque of fibrin and inflammatory debris that organizes on the surface of the moist conjunctiva (the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye) where it covers the inner eyelid. It is not a true membrane; it simply looks like one.
Although conjunctivitis is very common, it only rarely leads to the formation of a pseudomembrane.
This article discusses what a pseudomembrane is, along with causes and typical symptoms of the condition.
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a broad term that refers to any infection or irritation that affects the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a slim, transparent membrane that covers the surface of the eyes and eyelids.
In rare cases, discharge from conjunctivitis thickens to form a yellowish membrane over the conjunctiva.
Membranous conjunctivitis occurs when the membrane penetrates the uppermost layer of the conjunctiva known as the epithelium. The membrane cannot be removed without causing significant bleeding.
In contrast, a pseudomembrane sits atop the conjunctiva. It can be peeled away without causing bleeding.
Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. Some common symptoms include:
A pseudomembrane isn't always visible. When it is, it can appear as a whitish-yellow film over the region of the conjunctiva that lines the inner eyelid.
The following image provides a close-up view of a pseudomembrane linked to conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis has many potential causes, including viruses, bacteria, and allergies. The most common causes of pseudomembranous conjunctivitis are described below.
Although pseudomembranous conjunctivitis is rare, anyone can get it. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
You might be at an increased risk if you recently came into contact with someone who had a contagious form of this condition, including bacterial conjunctivitis or EKC.
In addition, you might be more likely to develop conjunctivitis symptoms if you wear contact lenses, by which infection can be transmitted.
Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis is treatable. With prompt treatment, it is unlikely to cause complications.
However, when left untreated, it can cause corneal scarring, which could permanently damage your vision.
In other cases, untreated pseudomembranous conjunctivitis causes the eyelid and the conjunctiva of the eyeball to fuse together, causing dense scarring, a condition known as symblepharon.
It could also make your eyes vulnerable to additional infections.
Treatment for pseudomembranous conjunctivitis usually involves removing the pseudomembrane with a small pair of forceps. An eye specialist will apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure.
Other treatments address the underlying cause of conjunctivitis or help to alleviate symptoms. Some of these include:
Mild cases of conjunctivitis often resolve without treatment. But pseudomembranous conjunctivitis may be a sign of a serious infection that needs treatment to resolve.
You should see a doctor if you experience eye swelling and redness with pain, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, or the sensation that there's something stuck in your eye.
The first step in diagnosing pseudomembranous conjunctivitis is identifying the underlying cause. A doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms.
To diagnose pseudomembranous conjunctivitis, your doctor will examine your eye with a slit lamp. A slit lamp is a type of microscope used to perform eye exams.
While your doctor examines you under the slit lamp, they may use a cotton swab to peel away the pseudomembrane.
Finally, your doctor might also order a culture. This requires collecting a sample of your eye discharge and sending it to a laboratory for testing.
Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis occurs when a membrane-like film forms on the surface of the eye. It is usually caused by an illness or infection that affects the conjunctiva.
Most people with conjunctivitis do not develop a pseudomembrane. But you should consult with a doctor if you think you have more than a mild case of pink eye.
A doctor will identify the cause of your conjunctivitis and address symptoms like pain and swelling. After diagnosis, they will remove the pseudomembrane to help prevent future complications.
Your Guide To The Best Eye Drops For Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye treatment varies depending on the type of conjunctivitis. Eye drops, ointments or oral medications can all be used depending on the cause.
Allergic ConjunctivitisAllergens like pollen, dust, pet dander and other environmental triggers can cause allergic conjunctivitis—a non-contagious form of pink eye that causes watery eyes, itching and burning. Your medical provider may prescribe one or a combination of medications to combat your symptoms.
The most common medications for allergic conjunctivitis include:
Home remedies for relief from allergic conjunctivitis include:
Infectious conjunctivitis refers to pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria—both can pass easily from person to person. However, treatment of infectious conjunctivitis doesn't always require medication.
For bacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to kill the infection-causing bacteria. Antibiotic eye drops that may be prescribed include:
Antibiotic ointments that may be prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis include:
Antibiotics, though, won't help viral pink eye because the infection is caused by a virus. "Pink eye often occurs in tandem with an upper respiratory infection and often will get better without any treatment once the respiratory condition improves," says Robert Gold, M.D., president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and senior partner of Eye Physicians of Central Florida in Orlando.
The infection has to run its course, but your doctor may suggest lubricating eye drops or ointment to soothe irritation and make you more comfortable. "Over-the-counter artificial tears can make the eyes feel more comfortable," explains Dr. Gold.
Antibiotic eye drops do not work to cure viral conjunctivitis. But "if there is evidence of a bacterial infection often associated with yellow or green discharge (drainage)," explains Dr. Gold, "antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed by your primary care doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist."
The following home remedies may help relieve symptoms of viral or bacterial pink eye:
Chemical conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation due to exposure to a chemical irritant such as chlorine or smoke. Treatment for chemical conjunctivitis typically involves flushing the eyes and using lubricating eye drops to soothe the discomfort.
"Chemical injury to the ocular surface requires immediate attention by an eye doctor," says Saleha Munir, O.D., an optometrist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
According to Dr. Munir, those who present with chemical conjunctivitis should:
Antibiotic drops may be prescribed for chemical conjunctivitis when there's a risk for "super-infection," explains Dr. Munir, which is a secondary infection caused by bacteria.
Common Causes Of Red Eyes
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The causes of red eye range from a minor irritation to a more serious condition or infection. Conditions that involve red eye include conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, dry eye syndrome, and blepharitis.
Red or bloodshot eyes occur when small blood vessels on the surface of the eye become enlarged and congested with blood.
Red eyes alone are not usually a reason for concern. However, if there is also eye pain, watering, dryness, or impaired vision, this can indicate a serious medical problem.
This article looks at some possible causes of red eyes in more detail. It also covers some treatment options.
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an infection that includes swelling and irritation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin transparent membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and loops back to cover the white part of the eye.
An infection of the conjunctiva irritates the blood vessels, causing them to swell. This inflammation makes the whites of the eyes appear reddish or pink.
Viruses cause up to 80% of all conjunctivitis cases. Other causes include bacteria, fungi, exposure to chemicals or allergens, a foreign body in the eye, and the use of contact lenses.
The infection commonly spreads through direct contact with contaminated fingers or personal items. It can be associated with an upper respiratory infection, and people can pass it on through coughing.
Pink eye often affects both eyes because the infection typically spreads from one eye to the other.
Some signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
A doctor will usually diagnose pink eye by looking at the symptoms and assessing the type of discharge present. With bacterial conjunctivitis, the discharge is often white, green, or yellow, and it can seem like pus. The doctor may also take a sample of the discharge for laboratory analysis.
Treatment options depend on the cause of the conjunctivitis. The doctor will recommend a suitable option. Viral conjunctivitis can go away without treatment and does not typically cause any long-term problems.
To avoid spreading conjunctivitis, people should:
After conjunctivitis clears up, a person should dispose of any contact lenses, solutions, or eye makeup they used during the infection to help prevent reinfection.
Get some tips on treating pink eye at home here.
Allergic conjunctivitis can develop due to an allergy or an irritant, such as dust, pollen, or animal dander. Contact lenses and lens solution may also trigger a reaction. In addition, if a person wears contact lenses for too long, conjunctivitis can arise due to irritation.
Conjunctivitis due to allergies or irritants is not contagious.
If a doctor suspects an allergy, they may carry out an allergy test to determine the trigger. However, the most common cause is a seasonal allergen, such as pollen.
A person who knows that they have an allergy or sensitivity reaction to pollen or other allergens should take care to avoid exposure, where possible.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea that can result from a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection. Scratches, burns, dry eye syndrome, and conditions that affect eyelid function can also increase the risk.
Contact lenses can rub against the eye's surface and slightly damage the outer cells. This damage may allow pathogens to penetrate the eye.
Symptoms can include:
Without appropriate treatment, corneal ulcers can lead to vision loss, so this is a medical emergency. Treatment options include antibiotics and antifungal agents. Serious cases may require a cornea transplant.
A person whose body does not produce adequate tears to lubricate and nourish the eyes may develop dry eye syndrome.
Hormonal changes, some medical conditions, and some medications can cause dry eye syndrome. Chronic dry eye can cause the surface of the eye to become red, inflamed, and irritated.
Some people experience dry eyes with COVID-19.
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
A doctor can determine if dry eyes are due to an underlying medical condition. An ophthalmologist can perform tests to measure tear production, if necessary.
For mild cases, over-the-counter medications — such as artificial tears, gels, or ointments — may be helpful. Other options include prescription eye drops and surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.
Some lifestyle tips for preventing dry eye syndrome include:
Get some more tips on treating dry eye syndrome here.
The conjunctiva contains many blood vessels and capillaries. If these vessels break, blood can leak into the area between the conjunctiva and the white of the eye.
When this happens, a small amount of blood builds up under the conjunctiva. This small accumulation of blood is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The minor bleeding under the eye's outer membrane causes bright red spots to appear on the white on the eye.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage can result from a minor injury or trauma to the eye, including rubbing the eye due to allergies.
Common causes also include coughing, sneezing, and straining. People who have diabetes, have high blood pressure, or take certain medications, such as blood thinners, may have a higher risk.
Subconjunctival hemorrhages occur on the surface of the eye. Because they do not affect the cornea or the interior of the eye, they do not impact vision.
They are not usually painful, and the only symptoms may be red spots in the white of the eye. Although redness or blood in the eye can look serious, most subconjunctival hemorrhages are generally harmless and will clear up on their own within a few days.
Usually, no treatment is typically necessary. If irritation occurs, however, a doctor may recommend artificial tears.
What else can cause bleeding in the eyes? Learn more here.
Red eyes often get better without treatment, but eye drops may help ease any discomfort.
However, a person should seek medical help if they have:
Common treatments include eye drops, antibiotics, creams, and oral medications. Most cases of red eyes are very treatable and, if caught early, do not cause any permanent long-term damage.
If red eyes result from an underlying condition, a doctor will need to treat this condition.
Which eye drops are good for people with red eyes? Find out here.
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