Conjunctivitis

Question 1

What is conjunctivitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the conjunctiva - the thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of the eyelids and the sclera

Question 2

What are the common bacterial causes of conjunctivitis?

Answer 2

Staphylococcus aureus
Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Chlamydia and neisseria gonorrhoeae

Question 3

What are the common viral causes of conjunctivitis?

Answer 3

Adenovirus
Coxsackie
Enterovirus
Herpes simplex

Question 4

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

Answer 4

Itchiness in one or both eyes
Conjunctival injection
Gritty sensation
Discharge
- Purulent in bacterial infection
- Watery in viral and allergic conjunctivitis
Tearing
Difficulty opening eyes in the morning - bacterial conjunctivitis

Question 5

What are the differentials for an acute painful red eye?

Answer 5

Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Anterior uveitis
Scleritis
Corneal abrasions
Keratitis
Foreign body
Traumatic or chemical injury

Question 6

What are the differentials of an acute painless red eye?

Answer 6

Conjunctivitis
Episcleritis
Subconjunctival haemorrhage

Question 7

What is the first line management of conjunctivitis?

Answer 7

Watch and wait
Practice good hygeine
No exclusion period from school, nursery or childminder
Artificial tears - over the counter eye drops

Question 8

What is the second line management of conjunctivitis?

Answer 8

Topical antibiotics
- Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops
- Chloramphenicol 1% ointment