Apollo eye disease is a common local name for an eye infection, usually conjunctivitis (pink eye). Most cases are viral, clear up in one to two weeks, and do not need antibiotics. Bacterial and allergic cases need different care. Your doctor will confirm the cause. See a doctor urgently if you have severe pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or pus.
| Type | Common signs | Usually lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Viral | Redness, watery discharge, gritty feeling, sometimes cold or sore throat | 1-2 weeks, rarely 2-3 weeks |
| Bacterial | Redness, sticky or pus discharge, crusted eyelids in the morning | 5-6 days, up to 2 weeks without treatment |
| Allergic | Itching (main sign), watery eyes, swollen eyelids, often both eyes | As long as the allergen is present |
| Cause | What is usually done | Antibiotics? |
|---|---|---|
| Viral | Cold compress, artificial tears, rest. Antiviral medicine only for severe cases, on a doctor’s advice | No |
| Bacterial | Clean eyes gently, artificial tears. Antibiotic drops or ointment if the doctor prescribes them | Only if prescribed |
| Allergic | Avoid the trigger, cold compress, artificial tears. Antihistamine or steroid drops only on prescription | No |
Decongestant drops give quick relief, but long use can make redness worse. Steroid drops need a doctor’s prescription because long use can raise eye pressure and cause cataract.
Viral conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that begins in one eye and then spreads to the others. Most cases of viral conjunctivitis are mild and typically clear up in one to two weeks without any treatment and without facing any long-term consequences. Still, in rare cases, it can take up to two to three weeks or more to resolve. The symptoms of viral conjunctivitis are:
When symptoms are mild, viral conjunctivitis can often be diagnosed without consulting a doctor, and the condition can be treated at home. However, suppose there is any concern or uncertainty over the infection, or the symptoms are severe, including extreme pain or redness, inability to open the eye, eye discharge like pus, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light. In that case, it can be a cause of concern that needs immediate medical attention.
An eye care specialist can prescribe antiviral medication to treat more severe forms of conjunctivitis. For example, conjunctivitis is caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus. Antibiotics will not improve viral conjunctivitis; these drugs are ineffective against viruses.
Conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, is known as bacterial conjunctivitis. It is common but not severe, and one or both eyes can be affected. Some common symptoms are redness of the eye, burning, itching, a sensation of grittiness, mild pain or discomfort in the eye, sticky discharge, and swollen eyelids. Several cases of bacterial conjunctivitis resolve independently and require no specific treatment. Washing the eyes with water, a clean cloth, or a sterile pad and using eye drops, also known as lubricating eye drops or artificial tears, may help to relieve symptoms.
Generally, people complete recovery, and the condition does not cause any complications. However, bacterial conjunctivitis can be severe for newborns and people with weak immune systems, such as those who are undergoing cancer treatment or who have HIV. In addition, anyone experiencing symptoms should visit an eye care clinic to seek medical advice without delay.
Bacterial conjunctivitis often improves in 5-6 days but can take two weeks to go away completely without any treatment. Your eye doctor may prescribe bacterial conjunctivitis antibiotics, usually given topically as eye drops or ointment. Antibiotics help reduce the spread to others, shorten the length of infection, and reduce complications. Antibiotics may be mandatory in the following cases:
There are two types of allergic conjunctivitis:
People experiencing some kind of allergies are more likely to develop allergic conjunctivitis. People living where high pollen counts are usual are also more susceptible to allergic conjunctivitis. Some of the common symptoms that mainly affect the eyes are:
An eye doctor can examine the eyes based on the family history. They can also perform blood and allergy skin tests or take a scraping of your conjunctival tissue to examine your white blood cells to diagnose allergic conjunctivitis.
Some tips to treat allergic conjunctivitis at home include:
Some medications to treat allergic conjunctivitis include:
Viral types spread easily through touch, tears and shared items. Wash your hands often and do not share towels or pillows.
Viral cases usually clear in 1-2 weeks. Bacterial cases often improve in 5-6 days. Allergic cases last as long as the trigger is present.
Not always. Antibiotics work only on bacterial infections. Most viral cases do not need them.
No single drop is best for everyone. The right drop depends on the cause, so see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Eye discharge in a newborn needs a doctor the same day.
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