Conjunctivitis is an infectious disease that is manifested by redness, or inflammatory hyperemia, of one or both eyeballs.. There may also be inflammation of the eyelids and watery discharge from the diseased eye, reminiscent of nasal discharge from a cold..

Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus and often accompanies influenza and acute respiratory infections.. Other causes, according to ophthalmologists, include bacteria and irritation due to, for example, dry eyes, air pollution or allergies..

If one eye is inflamed, most likely the infection will reach the other, no matter how careful you are..

Without treatment, viral conjunctivitis usually resolves within a week.. In addition, there are a number of ways to reduce discomfort and prevent the spread of infection until you get better..

Don't touch your eyes with your hands. If you rub your eyes, they will become twice as red and inflamed, doctors warn. In addition, it contributes to the spread of infection from one eye to another..

Apply a cold compress. To reduce inflammation, apply a flannel or cotton towel soaked in cold water to your eyes for 10 minutes.. Repeat further as needed.

Wear glasses, not contact lenses.

With conjunctivitis, contact lenses feel like a splinter in the eye. In addition, they exacerbate the inflammatory process.. If you change contact lenses for glasses during the illness, recovery will come much faster..

Wear sunglasses when you leave the house. Sunlight contributes to conjunctivitis, doctors explain. Sunglasses will reduce the irritating effect of bright, dazzling light and hide a sore eye from others, thereby relieving you of awkwardness and embarrassment.

Artificial tears are sold without a doctor's prescription..

Or eye drops. OTC eye drops such as Optrex and Vizin contain a vasoconstrictor and some antihistamine (to relieve itching).

But don't use eye drops for more than two weeks in a row, doctors warn. The eyes quickly become accustomed to constricting agents, and if you use the drops for a long time, the redness will remain even after the conjunctivitis has passed..

Don't paint your eyes. Continuing to use eye makeup while you have conjunctivitis can infect your eyeshadow applicator, pencil, or eyeliner and risk infecting your healthy eye..

Wash away secretions from the eyes.

For a minute or two, apply a soft cloth or towel dampened with warm water to the eyelids, and then gently wipe the eyelids from the outer corner of the eye to the inner (nose). To avoid infecting other family members, wash the towel after each use..

Call your doctor if conjunctivitis lasts longer than a week, or if you are concerned about:.

- Purulent discharge from one or both eyes;

- loss of vision;

severe dull or sharp pain in one or both eyes.

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