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conjunctivitis[kunjungtuvI´tus] Pronunciation Key, catarrhal inflammation of the membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid, usually acute, caused by a virus or, less often, by a bacillus. Commonly called pinkeye, mild conjunctivitis usually causes redness, discharge, and itching of the membrane. If left untreated it usually clears up in 8 to 10 days. Conjunctivitis may also be associated with upper respiratory infection or with childhood diseases such as measles. The disorder, whether chronic or acute, is treated successfully with antibiotics, sometimes combined with cortisone. Trachoma, though rare in the United States, is a severe conjunctivitis that can cause loss of vision. Another severe form of conjunctivitis is caused by the gonococcus bacterium and is usually associated with a genital infection. Conjunctivitis in newborn infants, called ophthalmia neonatorum, was a problem at one time; however, routine instillation of silver nitrate solution into the eyes of newborn infants has materially reduced the incidence of blindness.
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