Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis

Background

• Form of viral conjunctivitis that causes keratitis in addition to conjunctivitis
• Caused by adenovirus infection that is highly contagious and tends to occur in epidemics
  • Vision-threatening

Clinical Features

• Often preceded by prodrome of cough, high fever, malaise, myalgias, nausea/vomiting
• Usual symptoms of viral conjunctivitis plus:
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Photohobia
  • Chemosis
  • Papillae of inf palpebral conjunctiva
  • Ipsilateral preauricular lymphadenopathy

Differential Diagnosis

Conjunctivitis Types

• Viral conjunctivitis
  • Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
  • Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
  • Herpes simplex keratitis
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
  • Gonorrheal conjunctivitis
  • Chlamydia conjunctivitis
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Caustic keratoconjunctivitis

Diagnosis

• Clinical diagnosis
  • Slit Lamp - diffuse, superficial keratitis but no corneal ulceration

Management

• Artifical tears
• Cool compresses
• Cycloplegics if photophobia is severe

Disposition

• Discharge with rapid ophtho follow-up.

See Also

• Conjunctivitis