Conjunctivitis

Background

• Number 1 cause of acute red eye

Diagnosis

• Limbic sparing

DDx

Viral Conjunctivitis

1. Treatment
   1. Artificial tears
   2. Cold compresses
   3. Consider topical antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin ophtho) if unable to differentiate from bacterial conjunctivitis
   4. Strict hand/general hygiene
   5. Follow up with ophtho if worsening or no improvement in 7 days

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

1. Purulent Discharge
2. adults: sulfacetamide or gent; cipro if pseudomonas; drops 10D OU

Allergic Conjunctivitis

1. Diagnosis
   1. Itching, watery eyes, rhinnorrhea
2. Treatment
   1. Avoidance of triggers
   2. NSAIDs
   3. oral antihistamines (e.g loratidine)
   4. Consider histamine-blocking drops (e.g. olopatadine, pemirolast, or ketotifen)
   5. Outpt ophtho

Chemical (Contact) Conjunctivitis

1. Topical Meds or Cosmetics
   1. irrigate, naphazoline drops, outpt for tx failure

See Caustic Keratoconjunctivitis

Chlamydia Conjunctivitis

1. PO erythromycin x 14D; CTX for gonorrhea

See Also

• Conjunctivitis (Peds)
• Eye Algorithm (Main)
• Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Source

• Mahmood AR, Narang AT. Diagnosis and management of the acute red eye. Emerg Med Clin N Am. 2008;26:35-55.