Conjunctivitis is a very common, painful condition leading to reddened, watery eyes.
It's extremely contagious, and although children and the elderly are most at risk, nearly everyone suffers from it at some time.
Treatments for eye infections have advanced considerably since the Romans used antiseptic vinegar lotions to destroy bacteria-causing bugs.
We talk to Mr Alex Ionides, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, for his advice on how to keep your eyes clear and sparkling this year.
What is conjunctivitis?
Your eyes are covered by a transparent membrane called the conjunctiva and when this becomes inflamed, it causes conjunctivitis.
There are three main types: irritant; allergic and infective.
'Infective conjunctivitis, caused by viruses, bacteria or sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, is very common and causes about 35 per cent of all eye related problems in GPs' surgeries and different bugs cause different levels of discomfort,' says Mr Ionides.
Irritant conjunctivitis occurs when chemicals like chlorine, shampoo, smoke, or a stray eyelash irritate your eyes and rubbing them makes it worse. If your eyes are sensitive to pollen from grass, flowers or trees, you may develop allergic conjunctivitis, which becomes more common as summer approaches.
What are the symptoms?
'Common symptoms include reddened, oozy and itchy eyes, which may feel sticky when you wake up in the morning,' says Mr Ionides.
'Some patients report a burning sensation, although their vision is not affected.
'Although infected eyes are uncomfortable and look terrible, most symptoms normally clear up within a week or two and don't lead to long-term eye damage. Your GP can prescribe antibiotics if your inflammation persists.'
However, always see your GP if your newborn child develops conjunctivitis because babies are at risk of developing eye damage.
Why is it spreading?
'Conjunctivitis is contagious and easily spread because of cross contamination between people living in close proximity.
'Even rubbing your eyes, then touching a door knob can transmit the infection to others,' warns Mr Ionides.
Children often develop conjunctivitis as they come into contact with many infections at school and transmit them to their parents.
Crowded living conditions help to spread viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.
Elderly people with weaker immune systems and those recovering from upper respiratory infections, like flu, or a cold and patients who are taking steroids are more vulnerable to eye infections.
How can you avoid it?
'Wash your hands regularly and keep them away from your eyes. If your flatmate develops conjunctivitis, don't share pillows or towels to avoid cross-contamination,' advises Mr Ionides.
Try to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet – because stress caused by working long hours can affect your body's immune system making it less able to fight off infections.
If you are moving or doing DIY, avoid getting irritating dirt and dust in your eyes.
If you develop conjunctivitis wash your hands before bathing your eyes or applying medication to avoid spreading it.
'Most attacks clear up spontaneously within a week or two and lasting eye damage is rare,' says Mr Ionides.
If you develop an eye infection, remove and disinfect your contact lenses and wear glasses until a day or two after your symptoms have disappeared or you could re-infect yourself.
Lubricant eye drops, available from pharmacies, can help ease painful symptoms.
Keep hands clean to avoid spreading bugs to others. Sterilised water that has been boiled in the kettle can be used as a soothing eye wash.
Your GP can help
'Treatment depends on what type of bug is causing your conjunctivitis.
'Bacterial conjunctivitis, marked by sticky eyes, when you wake up, can easily be treated by a course of antibiotics, prescribed by your GP.
'Allergic conjunctivitis, which leads to intense itching and swelling, can be eased with antihistamine tablets or corticosteroid eye drops.
'Adenoviral conjunctivitis is a nasty bug causing your eyes to swell up for two, to three weeks,' warns Mr Ionides.
Viral conjunctivitis, identified by little, white follicles along the eyelid and a watery discharge, is untreatable and you have to wait for the infection to clear.
Office eye work-out
'Taking regular five minute breaks at your desk every hour avoids straining your eyes.
'Although computer screens don't cause lasting eye damage, staring at them for hours can cause headaches and blurred vision,' says Mr Ionides.
Simple exercises can strengthen eye muscles and improve your eyesight.
Begin your office eye work-out by closing your eyes and gently massaging your eyelids.
Now open and focus on distant objects outside the window.
Rotate your eyeballs clockwise five times, then close them and rotate your eyeballs anticlockwise five times.
Repeat these exercises 10 times.
Try blinking more to keep your eyes moist and sparkling, as people working on a computer tend to blink less.
Clean computer or mobile screens regularly.
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