Conjunctivitis

Question 1

Conjunctivitis Types

Answer 1

• Infectious
• Allergic
• Irritative
• Immune
• Neoplastic

Question 2

Conjunctivitis Presentation

Answer 2

• Red eye, often bilateral
• Irritation, grittiness and discomfort
• Significant pain suggests alternative diagnosis
• Photophobia is not typical and suggests corneal involvement
• Visual acuity is unaltered
• Conjunctival injection with dilated vessels
• Conjunctival chemosis
• Follicles or papillae

Question 3

Conjunctivitis Investigations

Answer 3

• Usually clinical

- Refer if severe, follicular, neonatal, unresponsive or unclear cause

Question 4

Conjunctivitis Differentials

Answer 4

• Uveitis (pain, photophobia, decreased visual acuity)
• Glaucoma (decreased acuity, hazy cornea, fixed pupil, systemic malaise)
• Herpes zoster ophthalmica
• Keratitis (photophobia)

Question 5

Conjunctivitis Viral Causes

Answer 5

-Most common is adenovirus, very contagious

Question 6

Conjunctivitis Bacterial Causes

Answer 6

• Most commonly Staph spp., Strep pneumoniae, H. influenzas, Moraxella catarrhalis
• Chlamydial conjunctivitis often presents with chronic in newborns or those who are sexually active

Question 7

Conjunctivitis Management Allergic, Bacterial, Chlamydia, Viral

Answer 7

• Mast cell stabilisers and antihistamine
• Topical broad-spectrum antibiotics (azithromycin, erythromycin), fluoroquinolones if severe
• Topical and oral antibiotics if chlamydial
• Topical antihistamines and artificial tears