ABSTRACT
The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent mucous membrane lining the upper and lower lids and covering the globe up to the limbus. The three areas to conjunctiva are palpebral conjunctiva, bulbar conjunctiva, and fornices. The conjunctiva allows easy movement of the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, which has several causes: bacterial, viral, allergic, chlamydial, fungal, parasitic, associated with other diseases, and caused by other forms of conjunctivitis. The chapter discusses the signs, nursing action, treatment, and patient's needs for conjunctivitis. Trachoma, also known as Egyptian ophthalmia or granular conjunctivitis, is caused by an organism called Chlamydia trachomatis, which is a parasite closely related to bacteria. General diseases that cause conjunctivitis are skin diseases – psoriasis, pemphigoid, acne rosacea and pemphigus, Sjogren's syndrome, thyroid disease, and reiter's syndrome.
