Allergic conjunctivitis, Bacterial conjunctivitis, Chemical
conjunctivitis, Pinkeye, Viral conjunctivitis Introduction to
conjunctivitis: The conjunctiva is a thin mucus membrane that
covers the visible part of the eyeball and the underside of the
eyelids. This membrane protects and lubricates the eye. What is
conjunctivitis? When the conjunctiva becomes inflamed, the
condition is called conjunctivitis. In children this is most
often a mild infection, but the conjunctiva may become inflamed
as a reaction to several different exposures, including
bacteria, viruses, allergies, or irritants. Who gets
conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis in newborns is often caused by
bacteria acquired during the process of birth. The eyes of
newborns are treated with an antibiotic ointment to prevent this
type of potentially serious infection – but the ointment itself
can cause a mild, irritant conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis
is common among young children during a variety of viral
infections – most often with adenoviruses or ent