Conjunctivitis

Question 1

What is conjunctivitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

Question 2

What is the conjunctiva?

Answer 2

Thin layer of tissue that covers inside of eyelids and sclera of the eye

Question 3

3 main types of conjunctivitis

Answer 3

bacterial
viral
allergic

Question 4

Presentation

Answer 4

unilateral or bilateral
red eyes, bloodshot
itchy or gritty sensation
discharge from eye

Question 5

Does conjunctivitis cause pain?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Does conjunctivitis affect visual acuity?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Does conjunctivitis result in photophobia?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

Bacterial conjunctivitis presentation

Answer 8

purulent discharge
worse in mornings - eyes stuck together
start in one eye and spread to other
highly contagious

Question 9

Viral conjunctivitis presentation

Answer 9

clear discharge

other symptoms of viral infection eg dry cough, sore throat and blocked nose

Question 10

Lymph nodes viral conjunctivitis

Answer 10

preauricular

Question 11

Differentials for acute red eye - 2 categories

Answer 11

painful or painless

Question 12

painless red eye differentials

Answer 12

conjunctivitis
episcleritis
subconjunctival haemorrhage

Question 13

painful red eye differentials

Answer 13

glaucoma 
anterior uveitis 
scleritis 
corneal abrasion 
trauma 
foreign body 
keratitis

Question 14

how long to resolve?

Answer 14

1-2 weeks with no treatment

Question 15

advice given

Answer 15

good hygiene eg towels/rubbing eyes/washing hands
avoid contact lenses
clean eyes with warm water

Question 16

treating bacterial conjunctivitis

Answer 16

antibiotic eye drops

chloramphenicol and fuscidic acid

Question 17

conjunctivitis in under 1 month old

Answer 17

urgent ophthalmology review

gnococcal infection - loss of sight/pneumonia

Question 18

allergic conjunctivitis treatment

Answer 18

antihistamines

topical mast cell stabilisers