Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This condition causes the small blood vessels in the eye to become inflamed, resulting in the characteristic reddish or pink appearance. While conjunctivitis is a localized eye condition, understanding how to manage this common ailment safely is important during gestation.
Assessing the Risk to Mother and Fetus
For the vast majority of cases, conjunctivitis is an irritating but minor ailment that is strictly localized to the eye and the surrounding tissue. The typical viral or bacterial forms of pink eye do not enter the bloodstream or cross the placental barrier, meaning they pose no systemic risk to the developing fetus.
The primary concern related to conjunctivitis involves a specific, rare route of transmission that occurs during delivery. Certain maternal infections, specifically sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can cause a severe form of bacterial conjunctivitis in the newborn, known as ophthalmia neonatorum.
This risk is managed through routine prenatal screening for these specific infections and prophylactic treatment of the newborn’s eyes immediately after birth. Any conjunctivitis that presents with severe symptoms like vision changes or intense pain requires immediate evaluation to rule out more serious ocular conditions.
Identifying the Type and Need for Medical Consultation
Determining the specific cause of conjunctivitis is important during pregnancy because the appropriate treatment depends entirely on whether the cause is viral, bacterial, or allergic. Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type, often associated with cold symptoms, and the discharge tends to be clear and watery.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by a thick, sticky discharge that is typically yellow, green, or white. This discharge often causes the eyelids to stick together, especially upon waking, and the onset is usually rapid. Allergic conjunctivitis differs significantly, with the hallmark symptom being intense itching in both eyes, accompanied by watery or stringy discharge.
Consulting a healthcare provider, such as an obstetrician or ophthalmologist, is necessary before beginning any treatment. Self-diagnosis and the use of over-the-counter eye drops are discouraged because many common medications have not been extensively studied in pregnant populations.
Pregnancy-Safe Treatment and Management
The initial management of any conjunctivitis in pregnancy focuses on non-pharmacological, supportive care to minimize potential fetal exposure to medications. Applying clean, cool compresses to the affected eyes several times a day can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Using preservative-free artificial tears is also a safe, over-the-counter method to soothe the irritation and flush the eye.
If the conjunctivitis is diagnosed as bacterial, a physician may prescribe a topical antibiotic that has a favorable safety profile during pregnancy. Safer options often include erythromycin ophthalmic ointment or polymyxin B-trimethoprim drops. Other categories of antibiotics, such as certain fluoroquinolones, are often avoided.
For allergic conjunctivitis, the first step is to identify and avoid the allergen. For symptom relief, a doctor may recommend oral antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine, which are generally considered safer in pregnancy than many ophthalmic antihistamine drops.
Strict hygiene practices are a crucial part of management for both viral and bacterial forms, including frequent hand washing, avoiding eye-rubbing, and not sharing towels or pillowcases to prevent the spread of infection.