What Is Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis?

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is a severe form of viral pink eye that could cause eyelid swelling, eye discharge, and bleeding. There’s no cure, but treatments can help you manage the symptoms until the virus clears.

Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) is inflammation of your conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers your eyeball and inner eyelid. This inflammation is usually due to an infection, allergen, or toxin. Certain viruses can cause a specific type of conjunctivitis called acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC).

In parts of West Africa, AHC is sometimes called “Apollo 11 disease” because scientists first discovered it in Ghana in 1969 , the year of the moon landing.

AHC is typically much more severe than other types of conjunctivitis. Symptoms can include painful swelling and noticeable bleeding in and around your eye. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have AHC.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms of AHC, who may be at a higher risk, and how doctors diagnose and treat it.