Ang bacterial conjunctivitis ay isang uri ng impeksyon sa mata. It is a common type of conjunctivitis o ang tinatawag na pink eye, caused by certain kinds of bacteria. Ang ganitong uri ng conjunctivitis ay nakakahawa and can easily spread from person to person via contact with infected eye discharge—usually through hand-to-eye transmission. Kaya’t mahalaga to always make sure that your hands are clean before touching your eyes.
Anyone can get pink eyes. It can affect both children and adults, and even neonates o ang mga bagong panganak na sanggol. Interestingly, ang bakteryang nagiging sanhi ng conjunctivitis tend to differ by age group. In children, it is commonly caused by Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae; while in adults, it is more likely to be caused by Staphylococcal species, specifically Staphylococcus aureus. In babies, neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis is a fairly common eye infection at karaniwang Chlamydia trachomatis ang sanhi nito. Ito ay maaaring makuha ng sanggol, during delivery or passage sa birth canal, from their mothers who have cervical chlamydial infection.
Signs and Symptoms
Conjunctivitis, defined as inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva, can cause the white part of the eye to appear red or pink in color – thus the name, pink eye. Bukod sa sintomas na pamumula ng mata, bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms (that can appear in one or both eyes) may also include:
- thick, pus-like discharge from eyes
- crusty eyes especially after sleeping
- pain or discomfort in the eye
- increased tearing
- swollen eyelids
- slight sensitivity to bright light
- blurry vision because of eye discharge
Mild cases of bacterial conjunctivitis usually clears up within a week or two without special medical treatment, but as it is highly contagious it is still best to treat it promptly and appropriately. Ito ay upang maiwasan ang pagkalat nito and also to eliminate the risk of developing sight-threatening complications. Pinakamainam pa din to consult with your doctor for a diagnosis and to determine if medication is necessary.
Treatment
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops for eye infection, gaya ng moxifloxacin (MOXIDIN®) at tobramycin (MYCINIDIN®), as bacterial conjunctivitis treatment for persistent cases. Ang mga gamot na ito ay dapat gamitin exactly as directed by your doctor and for the full time prescribed to ensure effective treatment. Recommended dosage of Moxidin is one drop, three times a day (to be increased or decreased, depending on the severity of symptoms). Samantalang ang recommended dosage para sa Mycinidin ay nakadepende kung gaano kalala ang eye condition ng pasyente.
Ang paggamot ng bacterial conjunctivitis using a clear solution, such as ophthalmic antibiotic drops, can greatly help reduce the time it takes for symptoms of the eye infection to resolve at nang tuluyang manumbalik ang clear vision.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be substituted for professional medical advice. The purchase and use of the pharmaceutical products featured in this article requires the proper prescription of a medical doctor. The purchase, possession, and dispensing of ethical drugs without a doctor’s prescription is illegal.
Sources:
Hashmi MF, Gurnani B, Benson S. Conjunctivitis. [Updated 2022 Dec 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541034/
Keating, G. M. (2011). Moxifloxacin 0.5% ophthalmic solution: in bacterial conjunctivitis. Drugs, 71(1), 89+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A245739742/AONE?u=googlescholar&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=499fc7a7
Mahoney MJ, Bekibele R, Notermann SL, Reuter TG, Borman-Shoap EC. Pediatric Conjunctivitis: A Review of Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management. Children. 2023; 10(5):808. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050808
Shamweel Ahmad. “Diagnosis and Management of Bacterial Conjunctivitis”. Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences 2.11 (2018): 80-85.
Yale Medicine (n.d.) Conjunctivitis. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/conjunctivitis
Medline Plus (2016) Moxifloxacin Ophthalmic. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605016.html
Rizal Medical Center – Department of Health (n.d.) Sore Eyes. https://rmc.doh.gov.ph/patientscorner/health-corner/137-sore-eyes