Conjunctivitis Flashcards
What is conjunctivitis?
Inflammation of the conjunctiva.
What is the name of conjunctivitis when associated with inflammation of the cornea?
Keratoconjunctivitis
What is the name of conjunctivitis when associated with eye lid involvement?
Blepharoconjunctivitis
Describe the infectious aetiology of conjunctivitis
Viral: Adenovirus, HSV, EBV, Enterovirus, Coxsackie
Bacterial: Pneumococcus, Staph A, H.influenza, Chlamydia
Describe the non-infectious aetiology of conjunctivitis
Allergic (type 1) e.g. caused by pollen, dust, chemical scents
Mechanical/irritative/toxic
Immune-mediated
Neoplastic (e.g. sebaceous gland carcinoma)
Describe the aetiology of conjunctivitis
More commonly caused by infection but can have an allergic cause
Describe the epidemiology of conjunctivitis
WORLDWIDE distribution
Affects any age group
No gender, ethnic or social preponderance
List 4 symptoms of conjunctivitis
Red eye (usually generalised + often bilateral)= conjunctival hyperaemia/ “pink eye”
Photophobia (suggest corneal involvement)
Visual acuity usually unaltered
Eyelids stuck together: Bacterial + viral
How do bacterial and viral conjunctivitis differ?
Viral = painless Bacterial = painful
Which symptoms suggest an allergic form of conjunctivitis?
Irritation, discomfort + grittiness (common in allergic but also others)
Itchiness + sneezing
Similar Sx at same time last year (seasonal element)
Describe the difference in discharge in each form of conjunctivitis
Watery (clear discharge): viral
Mucoid: allergic
Purulent (yellow discharge!): bacterial
List signs of conjunctivitis
Conjunctival injection (i.e. blood shot eyes)
Dilated conjunctival vessels
Conjunctival chemosis (swell of conjunctiva)
(allergic immune response)
How is conjunctivitis usually diagnosed?
Following hx + examination
List 3 further investigations that may be performed in conjunctivitis
Rapid adenovirus immunoassay (positive if adenovirus infection)
Cell culture
PCR
Give a risk factor for conjunctivitis
use of contact lenses
