Conjuctivitis

Question 1

Define Conjuctivitis

Answer 1

Inflammation of the lining of the eyelids and eyeball

caused by bacteria, viral, allergy, mechanical

Question 2

Aetiology of Conjuctivitis

Answer 2

Most common bacteria- pneumococcus, staph aureus, Moxarella, H influence, N ghonorrhoa (with PUS)
Viral-adenovirus, herpes, EBV
contact lens-from poor management
allergy-hay fever etc

Bacterial more common in children, viral more common in adults
viral in 50% of primary care

Risk factors

Question 3

Epidiemology of Conjuctivitis

Answer 3

male and female of all ages
common 14 cases per 1000 in UK

Bacterial more common in children, viral more common in adults

Question 4

Signs and Sx of Conjuctivitis

Answer 4

Allergic-BILATERAL
watery discharge from eye
itching always there
seasonal
can see swollen eyelids, red eyes

Bacterial
more likely bilateral
Red eye with burning/foreign body sensation
eyelid matting and purulent discharge
Hyperacute/Ghonorrhoal conjuct-same but with pre-auricular lymphadenopathy

Viral
starts in one eye and then spreads to other
associated with recent res infection
itching, burning, foreign body feel
mucous discharge
pre-auricular lymphadenopathy

Question 5

Investigations of Conjuctivitis

Answer 5

Adenovirus immunoassay-2 lines if Adeno is present (main cause of viral, which is most common)

Gram stain-gram neg diplococci-N gonorrhoea
Culture