If your eyes become bloodshot and you frequently cry around this time of year...

Common eye infections in summer

▷Epidemic conjunctivitis

Adenovirus (mainly types 8, 19, 37) infection causes a common contagious eye disease that appears during the summer. It usually occurs in both eyes, with one eye infected first, followed by the other eye 2-7 days later. The symptoms are generally milder in the second eye. The main symptoms include tearing, redness, eye discharge, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and eyelid swelling. In severe cases, symptoms such as vision impairment may occur. The incubation period is about 4-10 days, roughly a week, and it generally takes about two weeks to recover, with the second eye taking longer, around three weeks.

▷Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (Apollo Eye Disease)

Acute conjunctivitis frequently accompanied by subconjunctival hemorrhage is caused primarily by enterovirus type 70 and coxsackievirus A-24, and it is highly contagious. This conjunctivitis saw a major outbreak in 1969 when the Apollo spacecraft first landed on the moon, and it is commonly called "Apollo eye disease." The disease is transmitted through contaminated objects used by patients or direct contact, leading to rapid onset. Initial symptoms include tearing, foreign body sensation, sudden pain, redness, and photophobia, similar to epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, but it is characterized by often accompanied subconjunctival hemorrhage, making the eyes appear more red. The incubation period is short, about 12-48 hours, but symptoms usually improve within a week, and many cases recover completely within 2-3 weeks.

Pharyngitis and Conjunctivitis

It is mainly caused by Adenovirus Type 3 and is commonly characterized by symptoms that appear alongside cold symptoms in children. Conjunctival redness and swelling, fever, localized lymph node swelling, and pharyngitis occur together. Conjunctivitis usually appears in only one eye and is transmitted through upper respiratory secretions. It often improves within about two weeks as cold symptoms subside.

Eye infections are caused by viruses and, like colds, do not have a specific cure. They typically improve after a certain period. Professor Yoon Jin-sook of the Ophthalmology Department at Severance Hospital said, "The duration of recovery varies depending on the type of eye infection, but generally it takes about 2 to 3 weeks, so if this is not well explained to patients, they may sometimes be misunderstood as 'quacks,'" and added, "Conversely, patients who come after getting better at another hospital are often called 'experts.'" However, just because there is no special treatment does not mean you should avoid visiting a hospital and simply wait. It is necessary to accurately diagnose whether the symptoms are caused by other ophthalmic conditions similar to eye infections (such as uveitis, keratitis from other causes, etc.), and to prevent secondary bacterial infections or progression to keratitis, appropriate use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory eye drops may be required to prevent complications such as vision loss.

Most eye infections improve without complications after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, but there are occasional cases showing permanent complications, so if symptoms occur, it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment from an ophthalmology specialist.

Summer Eye Infection Prevention Tips

I usually wash my hands thoroughly and frequently.

Do not touch your eyes with dirty hands.

If someone around you has conjunctivitis, be careful with contact and use separate hygiene items such as towels.

Be cautious of infection in places where many people gather.