This document discusses conjunctivitis (pink eye) prevention in occupational settings. It defines conjunctivitis as an inflammation of the transparent membrane covering the eyeball. There are various types of conjunctivitis caused by bacteria, viruses, allergens, irritants, and other factors. At-risk occupational groups include chemical workers, healthcare workers, agriculture workers, and others exposed to irritants. Prevention tips include frequent hand washing, avoiding sharing personal items, wearing protective eyewear, and treating symptoms with irrigation, artificial tears, or medications under a doctor's guidance.

1. Conjunctivitis PreventionOccupational health
• By
• Dr.Ashok laddha
• Occupational Health
Physician
• MBBS, PGDC ,PGDD,
PGDEM, AFIH ,ACLS,BLS
• Diploma in Workplace
Health and safety. MBAHA(In –Progress)

2. Definition
• Conjunctivitis is a common inflammation or
infection of the transparent membrane
(conjunctiva) that covers the eyeball and lines
the inner surface of the eyelids. Inflammation
causes the small blood vessels in the
conjunctiva to become engorged, producing
the classic pink appearance of the white
portion of the affected eye, hence the name
“pink eye.

3. Types
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Viral conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis
Eye drop conjunctivitis
Herpes simplex conjunctivitis
Giant papillary conjunctivitis
Neonatal conjunctivitis
Vernal conjunctivitis
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
Non-infectious conjunctivitis

4. Causes
•
•
•
•
•
bacterial,
viral,
fungal infections
parasites
irritants such as allergens, airborne
particles, chemicals (Chlorine, Soap)
• organisms associated with sexually transmitted
disease (chlamydia or Gonorrhea).
• air pollutants (smoke and fumes).

5. Other risk factors
• Sharing items with or touching someone who
has pink eye
• Exposure to certain allergens
• Exposure to certain viruses or bacteria
• Lack of proper personal hygiene, such as
infrequent hand washing
• Using certain types of contact lenses
• Not properly cleaning contact lenses

6. Allergic conjunctivitis
• Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergic
reactions to specific substances such as
dust,
pollen,
airborne
chemicals, perfumes, and detergents.

7. Types of Allergic conjunctivitis
•
•
•
•
Allergic simple conjunctivitis
Spring catarrh
Phlyctenular kerato-conjunctivitis
Giant papillary conjunctivitis

8. Complications
• Allergic eye diseases accounts for up to 15%
• Chronic form of the disease give rise, in
addition, to more severe symptoms including
pain, visual loss from corneal scarring, cataract
or glaucoma, and disfiguring skin and lid
change

9. Occupational -Risk Group
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Employees exposed to chemicals
Dentist---(meth)acrylates
Coconut fibre is used in the manufacture of mattresses
Plukenetia volubilis seeds.
pharmaceutical industry-LACTASE
occupational exposure to deer ked.
chlorine in swimming pools, and exposure to noxious
chemicals.
• Agriculture workers
• Construction workers
• household cleaners,

11. symptoms
• The symptoms of pinkeye differ based on the cause of
the inflammation, but may include:
• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
• Increased amount of tears
• Thick yellow discharge that crusts over the
eyelashes, especially after sleep
• Green or white discharge from the eye
• Itchy eyes
• Burning eyes
• Blurred vision
• Increased sensitivity to light

12. Management of chemical
conjunctivitis
• Treatment for mild chemical conjunctivitis includes
continuous eye irrigation with tap water or eyewash
solution. It's important that the irrigation also remove
any chemical from the surrounding skin of the face.
Artificial tears eyedrops may help reduce irritation
after
irrigation.
Treatment of mild chemical conjunctivitis includes:
• Removal of the chemical
• Irrigation with water or eyewash for at least 10 minutes
• Artificial tears to lubricate the eye

13. Management of chemical
conjunctivitis
• Emergency treatment is required for those who are exposed to
strong acids or alkalies, or have ongoing pain after initial irrigation.
Treatment requires continuous irrigation with either tap water or an
eyewash solution. If possible, irrigation should continue during
transport
to
a
hospital.
Hospital care for severe chemical conjunctivitis may include:
Continued irrigation
• Antibiotic eye drops
• Narcotic pain medication:
– For moderate to severe pain
– For short term use only

14. Home care
• Home Care
• Treating allergic conjunctivitis at home involves a
combination of prevention strategies and activities to ease
your symptoms. To minimize your exposure to allergens:
• close windows when the pollen count is high
• keep your home dust-free
• use an indoor air purifier
• avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, dyes, and perfumes
• To ease your symptoms, avoid rubbing your eyes. Applying
a cool compress to your eyes can also help reduce
inflammation and itching.

15. Medications
• In more troublesome cases, home care may not
be adequate. You will need to see a doctor who
might recommend:
• an oral or over-the-counter antihistamine to
reduce or block histamine release
• anti-inflammatory and/or anti-inflammation eye
drops
• eye drops to shrink congested blood vessels
• steroid eye drops (only in severe cases)

16. Prevention-Tips
•
Wash your hand before and after:
– Touching the eyes or face.
– Using medicine in the eyes.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do not share eye makeup.
Do not use eye makeup until the infection is fully cured, because you could
reinfect yourself with the eye makeup products. If your eye infection was caused
by bacteria or a virus, throw away your old makeup and buy new products.
Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
Do not wear contact lenses until the infection is cured. Thoroughly clean your
contacts before wearing them again.
Do not share eye medicine.
Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels,
and washcloths daily.
Wash your hands and wear gloves if you are looking into someone else's eye for a
foreign object or helping someone else apply an eye medicine.
Wear eye protection when in the wind, heat, or cold to prevent eye irritation.
Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals.