Conjunctivitis Prevention-Occupational health

• By

• Dr.Ashok laddha• Occupational Health

Physician

• MBBS, PGDC ,PGDD, PGDEM, AFIH ,ACLS,BLS

• Diploma in Workplace Health and safety. MBA-HA(In –Progress)

Definition

• Conjunctivitis is a common inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the eyeball and lines the inner surface of the eyelids. Inflammation causes the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva to become engorged, producing the classic pink appearance of the white portion of the affected eye, hence the name “pink eye.

Types

• Viral conjunctivitis• Bacterial conjunctivitis• Allergic conjunctivitis• Eye drop conjunctivitis• Herpes simplex conjunctivitis• Giant papillary conjunctivitis• Neonatal conjunctivitis• Vernal conjunctivitis• Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis• Non-infectious conjunctivitis

Causes

• bacterial, • viral, • fungal infections• parasites• irritants such as allergens, airborne particles,

chemicals (Chlorine, Soap)• organisms associated with sexually transmitted

disease (chlamydia or Gonorrhea).• air pollutants (smoke and fumes).

Other risk factors

• Sharing items with or touching someone who has pink eye

• Exposure to certain allergens• Exposure to certain viruses or bacteria• Lack of proper personal hygiene, such as

infrequent hand washing• Using certain types of contact lenses • Not properly cleaning contact lenses

Allergic conjunctivitis

• Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergic reactions to specific substances such as dust, pollen, airborne chemicals, perfumes, and detergents.

Types of Allergic conjunctivitis

• Allergic simple conjunctivitis• Spring catarrh• Phlyctenular kerato-conjunctivitis• Giant papillary conjunctivitis

Complications

• Allergic eye diseases accounts for up to 15%• Chronic form of the disease give rise, in

addition, to more severe symptoms including pain, visual loss from corneal scarring, cataract or glaucoma, and disfiguring skin and lid change

Occupational -Risk Group

• Employees exposed to chemicals• Dentist---(meth)acrylates• Coconut fibre is used in the manufacture of mattresses• Plukenetia volubilis seeds.• pharmaceutical industry-LACTASE• occupational exposure to deer ked.• chlorine in swimming pools, and exposure to noxious

chemicals.• Agriculture workers• Construction workers• household cleaners,

symptoms

• The symptoms of pinkeye differ based on the cause of the inflammation, but may include:

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid• Increased amount of tears• Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes,

especially after sleep• Green or white discharge from the eye• Itchy eyes• Burning eyes• Blurred vision• Increased sensitivity to light

Management of chemical conjunctivitis

• Treatment for mild chemical conjunctivitis includes continuous eye irrigation with tap water or eyewash solution. It's important that the irrigation also remove any chemical from the surrounding skin of the face. Artificial tears eyedrops may help reduce irritation after irrigation.

Treatment of mild chemical conjunctivitis includes:

• Removal of the chemical• Irrigation with water or eyewash for at least 10 minutes• Artificial tears to lubricate the eye

Management of chemical conjunctivitis

• Emergency treatment is required for those who are exposed to strong acids or alkalies, or have ongoing pain after initial irrigation. Treatment requires continuous irrigation with either tap water or an eyewash solution. If possible, irrigation should continue during transport to a hospital.

Hospital care for severe chemical conjunctivitis may include:Continued irrigation

• Antibiotic eye drops• Narcotic pain medication:

– For moderate to severe pain– For short term use only

Home care

• Home Care• Treating allergic conjunctivitis at home involves a

combination of prevention strategies and activities to ease your symptoms. To minimize your exposure to allergens:

• close windows when the pollen count is high• keep your home dust-free• use an indoor air purifier• avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, dyes, and perfumes• To ease your symptoms, avoid rubbing your eyes. Applying a

cool compress to your eyes can also help reduce inflammation and itching.

Medications

• In more troublesome cases, home care may not be adequate. You will need to see a doctor who might recommend:

• an oral or over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce or block histamine release

• anti-inflammatory and/or anti-inflammation eye drops

• eye drops to shrink congested blood vessels• steroid eye drops (only in severe cases)

Prevention-Tips• Wash your hand before and after:

– Touching the eyes or face.– Using medicine in the eyes.

• Do not share eye makeup.• Do not use eye makeup until the infection is fully cured, because you could reinfect yourself

with the eye makeup products. If your eye infection was caused by bacteria or a virus, throw away your old makeup and buy new products.

• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.• Do not wear contact lenses until the infection is cured. Thoroughly clean your contacts

before wearing them again.• Do not share eye medicine.• Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels, and

washcloths daily.• Wash your hands and wear gloves if you are looking into someone else's eye for a foreign

object or helping someone else apply an eye medicine.• Wear eye protection when in the wind, heat, or cold to prevent eye irritation.• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals.