Conjunctivitis

If the eyes are reddened, patients ask for advice in the pharmacy and seek rapid help for their complaints. PTA Forum has compiled the most important vocabulary, questions and advice on the subject of conjunctivitis.

In the cabin of an airplane, the humidity is substantially reduced and only amounts to 6–18 percent. Some people react sensitively to dry air. Their nasal mucous membranes dry out and their eyes may be itching, burning and reddening.

Especially unpleasant is the foreign body sensation in the eyes that is often experienced. Apart from the particular situation in planes, there could also be other causes for reddened eyes or conjunctivitis. The most frequent ones are wind, a draft, chlorinated water in swimming pools or long hours of screen work.

If these problems occur during an overseas trip, the affected persons will first seek the advice of a pharmacist. Before any medication can be recommended, the pharmacy technician or the pharmacist need to ask some questions and clarify if self-medication can be responsibly commended.

Important questions for the consultation

• How long have your eyes been reddened?
• Do you have any additional health complaints?
• Have you noticed that your eyesight is impaired?
• Is there any explanation for your present problem?
• Do you wear contact lenses?
• Have you already taken any medication?
• Have you, in the past, seen a doctor when you had similar symptoms?

Additional information

• If you are wearing contact lenses, it would be better if you changed to glasses while you have this problem.
• Cold packs will help to soothe the itchiness and burning.
• Drink at least 2 litres of fluid daily.
• Avoid air-conditioned rooms.
• Have sufficient breaks during screen work.
• Wear sunglasses during intense solar radiation.
• Have your eyes checked once a year to determine if your glasses are still providing the right visual acuity.
• After applying eye drops your eyesight will be impaired for five to ten minutes. During that time you should not drive a vehicle nor operate a machine.