Question
A child has been diagnosed with conjunctivitis. After three months of eye medication, the symptoms have not improved and there are frequent relapses. What are effective treatment methods?
Answer
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “red eye disease” or “epidemic red eye,” is an acute epidemic conjunctival inflammation caused by bacteria or viruses, which is highly contagious. The disease often breaks out in families or collective units and is more common during spring and summer. Modern medicine believes that the pathogens of conjunctivitis are bacteria or viruses, which are transmitted through secretions such as handkerchiefs, towels, and face wash. Traditional Chinese medicine refers to this disease as “wind-heat eye” or “heavenly red eye,” believing that it is caused by wind-heat toxins accumulating in the eyes, damaging the white part of the eye, leading to red and swollen conjunctiva, or due to excessive fire in the liver meridian, causing the liver to open its orifices in the eyes, with fire ascending upwards resulting in red and swollen eyes. Common symptoms include conjunctival congestion, red eyes, eyelid swelling, tearing, and photophobia.