Conjunctivitis (Acute)
Evaluation
General—inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the anterior surface of the eye from the inner surface of the eyelid to the corneal edge
Clinical (in general)—“red/pink eye,” “injected” blood vessels on eye’s surface
Etiology—infectious (viral, bacterial) or noninfectious (allergic, chemical)
Viral conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
Clinical—(symptoms may persist for 2-3 weeks.)
Acute redness (conjunctival injection), watery discharge, feels like foreign body irritation.
May have tender, enlarged preauricular lymph node.
If there are corneal infiltrates (small white dots on surface of cornea)—get ophthalmology consult.
Transmission—secretions, fomites (e.g., towels), pools; usually bilateral from self-inoculation.
Etiology—adenovirus is the most likely cause.
Treatment
Supportive—cool compresses, decrease lid edema, acetaminophen p.r.n.
Symptomatic relief from topical antihistamine/decongestant
Keep hands and towels clean; avoid health care setting work for approximately 4 days
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Clinical—acute/subacute redness, irritation, and purulent discharge with mattering at eyelid margin
Transmission—direct contact
Etiology—Streptococcus and Staphylococcus the two most common in adults
Treatment, many choices—(Note: ointments provide better symptom relief, but can blur vision)
