Table of contents:
- Is it true that eye pain is transmitted from eye contact?
- How can you prevent the spread of red eye pain?
- What is the appropriate treatment if you experience red eye pain?
- Treatment with eye drops
- Care for yourself
Many say that sore eyes and red eyes can be transmitted through gaze. Eye pain, which is usually marked by red eyes and decreased visual function, such as conjunctivitis, is often said to be contagious if direct eye contact with the sufferer. So, is it true that eye pain is transmitted through the gaze? Check out the answer here.
Is it true that eye pain is transmitted from eye contact?
Generally, red eyes and sore eyes are signs of conjunctivitis. Conjuncitivitis is a condition when there is inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines the eyelids and covers the whites of the eyeball. That is why, when there is inflammation of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the eyes turn red.
This eye infection can be caused by various things, such as viruses, bacteria, allergies, to the entry of foreign substances into the eye. But what must be remembered, does not mean you have to stay away from eye pain sufferers. The reason is, red eye pain not transmitted directly from eye contact with sufferers, but comes from poor personal hygiene.
An ophthalmologist and retinal surgeon at PGI Cikini Hospital, dr. Gilbert WS Simanjuntak, Sp.M (K) said that actually the key to eye and body health is cleanliness. If eye pain is transmitted through sight, he should often be exposed because he comes face to face with a patient with eye pain.
This is reinforced by the statement from Dr. Jill Swartz, a doctor at GoHealth Urgent Care, who stated that eye pain is contagious because a person with eye pain touches his or her own eyes and then touches other people. As a result there is a viral or bacterial infection that will quickly pass to other people, reported Live Science.
How can you prevent the spread of red eye pain?
Because the infection of red eye is caused by not maintaining personal hygiene, the proper prevention method must also involve hygiene aspects, such as:
- Do not touch your eyes using your hands directly, let alone rub them, you should use a tissue or clean handkerchief
- Avoid sharing personal items, such as bath towels with other people
- For people with red eye, you should first get rid of cosmetic products, especially those that can come in contact with the eyes
- Always wash your hands before and after handling something because when handling something does not rule out your hands will be exposed to so many viruses and bacteria
- Avoid sharing your cosmetics, contact lenses or personal eye care items
- Always remove contact lenses at night and follow the directions for using lens hygiene
- Always try to keep your glasses clean
- Always use goggles every time you swim and it's best not to swim beforehand if you have an eye infection
What is the appropriate treatment if you experience red eye pain?
About half of people with conjunctiva recover within two weeks without medical treatment. Usually, doctors will only prescribe eye drops that contain a decongestant or antihistamine to relieve irritation and swelling.
Treatment with eye drops
The use of antibiotics, according to Medical News Today, cannot really cure red eye if the cause comes from a viral infection, even if the cause is bacteria, then treatment with antibiotics will take one month. Several studies have shown that only 1 in 10 sufferers can recover with antibiotics.
The more common treatment is eye drops containing antihistamines. However, in some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed if the symptoms are severe or have persisted for more than two weeks.
The dose of eye drops depends on the type. Apart from eye drops, ointments are also commonly used when conjunctival eye pain occurs in infants and children. It is important to know, some people's vision can become blurry after using eye drops. That is why, make sure you do not plan to do things that endanger yourself and others after doing this treatment.
Care for yourself
In addition to routinely using a doctor's prescription, you should also be accompanied by self-care to relieve symptoms and speed up recovery, namely:
- Avoid wearing contact lenses for a while, at least until antibiotic treatment is finished about 24 hours later. If you want to use contact lenses again, you should throw away and replace the lenses, as well as the washing water
- Using a handkerchief or small towel dampened in warm water can help compress the eyes to reduce itching and eye irritation. Do this several times a day and rub gently on the closed eyes
- Regular hand washing can help prevent the spread of infection
