An eye cold is a viral variant of conjunctivitis. The condition might take 7-10 days to settle and considered highly transmittable. If an eye cold is suspected, it is vital to avoid contact with others and regularly wash hands. The adenovirus is the usual cause for an eye cold.
What are the indications?
The indications of eye cold include general signs of conjunctivitis such as:
- Reddening of the white part of the eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Enlarged eyelids
- Clear, whitish or yellowish drainage from the eyes
If an individual has eye cold, there is watery discharge from the eyes.
Management of an eye cold
In most instances, an eye cold is left to run its course and settles within 7-10 days or less on its own. In some cases, it might take up to 2-3 weeks to clear up.
An eye cold is highly contagious especially if the symptoms are present. The treatment is aimed on alleviating the symptoms as well as preventing the spread of the infection.
The doctor might also suggest bathing the eyes in warm water, application a warm or cold compress and even applying artificial tears.
If the individual is wearing contact lenses, they must be removed until the eye cold is completely gone. If disposable lenses are used, it is best to discard those that were used to avoid a recurrent infection. In case hard lenses are used, they must be removed and disinfected.
What is the outlook?
If the signs of eye cold are present, a doctor must be seen. The doctor will rule out serious conditions such as a corneal abrasion.
If the doctor determines that the cause is viral in nature, the treatment is focused on alleviating the symptoms for the next few days to weeks.
The affected eye must clear on its own within a week, but it can take up to 3 weeks. It is vital to observe good hygiene during this period to prevent the condition from spreading or worsening.