Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Diagnosis and Treatment

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. The tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva become more visible when they are inflamed, giving the eye a reddish or pinkish appearance, hence called pink eye. This condition can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants. In Ayurveda, it correlates to Abhishyanda. It is considered the root cause of almost all eye disorders. 

Symptoms:

● Redness

● Discharge (Viral –Watery Discharge, Bacterial -Pus Discharge)

● Itching (Allergens- Intense Itching)

● Gritty Sensation

● Crusting Discharge

● Light Sensitivity

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is made based on the patient's signs and symptoms, and examination of the eye. 

Ayurveda Diagnose Abhishyanda based on symptoms. 

1. Vataja Abhishyanda: Characterized by pricking pain, dryness, foreign body sensation, watery discharge.

2. Pittaja Abhishyanda: Features intense burning redness, photophobia, pus, and yellowish discharge.

3. Kaphaja Abhishyanda: Marked by severe itching, heaviness, swelling, and thick, white, slimy discharge.

Treatment:

Treatment of Ayurveda includes pacifying dosha, inflammation with internal medication, and external therapies. 

Sreedhareeyam treats Abhishyanda for its Tridosha imbalance and removes toxins, along with reducing inflammation.

Internal medications like Kashaya, along with tablets aiming to reduce inflammation, detoxification, and improve metabolic fire. 

Treatments like Seka, Aschodana, Bidalaka, and Anjana are usually employed in Abhishyanda along with other treatment modalities, depending on the condition of patients. 

1. Seka (Eye Wash): Acts as a cleaning and soothing therapy, aiming to reduce inflammation in the early and acute stages of inflammation.

2. Aschodana (Eye Drops): Effectively relieves symptoms like redness, itching, discharge, and burning sensations, serving as a first-line treatment for managing. 

3. Bidalaka (Application of Paste): Works via transdermal absorption, reducing swelling, itching, redness, and discharge.

4. Anjana (Collyrium): Functions by reducing inflammation, cleansing the eyes of impurities, and relieving symptoms.

Home Remedies:

● Cold compression. 

● Triphala washing. 

● Keeping cotton dipped in Rosewater. 

● Avoid sour foods, curd, alcohol, anger, daytime sleep, and bright light exposure.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Immediate professional medical attention is needed if:

• There is severe eye pain or sudden vision loss.

• The patient is a newborn (under one month old).

• There is intense light sensitivity (photophobia).

• Symptoms do not improve after 24 hours or worsen.

• There is a history of chemical exposure or eye injury.

 It is recommended to consult a doctor to ensure the safe and right medicine for specific conditions.