Library · Disease
Conjunctivitis
Make it clearer
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva. Along with it come engorged vessels, meaning full and dilated, pain, and discharge from the eye.
The conjunctiva is a clear mucous membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye and keeps it lubricated. Because it is clear, what you see through it are its own blood vessels. When the conjunctiva becomes inflamed, those vessels dilate and the eye looks red. A red eye is not blood: it is the vessels of a clear membrane, dilated and visible.
Of acute cases of conjunctivitis, eight out of ten are viral, and among the viruses the most common by far is adenovirus.
In brief
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctival tissue, with engorgement of its vessels, eye pain, and discharge.
The conjunctiva is the clear mucous membrane that lubricates and covers the outer surface of the eye; when it becomes inflamed, its vessels dilate and the redness appears.
A red eye is not blood: it is the vessels of a clear membrane, dilated and visible.
Eighty percent of acute cases are viral, and adenoviruses account for 65% to 90% of viral conjunctivitis.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingConjunctivitis, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated