Eye Flu: Symptoms, Prevention, and At-Home Care

By Dr. Parul Sharma in Eye Care / Ophthalmology

Jul 26 , 2023 | 2 min read | Read in Hindi

Eye fluid or conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye infection affecting many. Conjunctivitis is usually viral and may have superadded bacterial or allergic eye disease.

Symptoms of Eye Flu (Conjunctivitis)

Redness
Itching
Tearing
Discharge
Sensitivity to Light
Swelling of eyelids
Pain
Some may have Blurry Vision

Prevention of Eye Flu:

Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, and avoid sharing personal items like towels or cosmetics.
Avoid Eye Rubbing: Refrain from touching or rubbing your eyes, as this can transfer germs to the eyes.
Use Protective Eyewear: When swimming or engaging in activities that may expose your eyes to irritants, wear goggles to shield them.
Stay Away from Infected Individuals: If someone around you has conjunctivitis, maintain a safe distance to avoid catching the infection.
Follow Proper Contact Lens Care: If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye doctor's instructions for cleaning and handling them.

At-Home Care for Eye Flu (Conjunctivitis)

If you suspect you or someone in your household has conjunctivitis (eye flu), here are some at-home care tips for conjunctivitis:

Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently. Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, eye drops, or makeup with others to prevent the spread of infection.
Warm or cold Compresses: Applying a clean, warm compress or ice packs to your closed eyes can help soothe discomfort and reduce swelling. Use a soft, lint-free cloth soaked in warm water and gently place it over your closed eyelids for a few minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day. If swelling and allergic symptoms are more, then wrap ice cubes in tissue paper and apply it to your closed eyes for a few minutes. Discard tissue paper in the dustbin
Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) can help keep your eyes moist and alleviate dryness and irritation.
Avoid Eye Makeup: While you have conjunctivitis, avoid using eye makeup, including mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow, as these can exacerbate the irritation and may also be contaminated with bacteria.
Remove Contact Lenses: If you generally wear contact lenses and have conjunctivitis, switch to wearing glasses until the infection clears up.
Clean Eyeglasses: If you wear glasses, make sure to clean them with mild soap and water to remove any potential contaminants.
Avoid Eye touching or Rubbing: this can further irritate the conjunctiva and potentially spread the infection to the other eye or to other individuals.

Eye Flu Treatment

Do not self-medicate or take over counter eye drops. Consult an eye care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. She will examine your eyes to see what type of infection it is, which part of your eyes are involved, and prescribe medication accordingly. The eye drops are anti-inflammatory and lubricating eye drops to soothe n your eyes and for faster recovery.

Antibiotic eye drops are given for superadded bacterial infection, though most conjunctivitis are viral and self-limiting.