Unit 9: Red Eye
2: Viral Conjunctivitis
Common
Aetiology
- Often adenovirus type 3
- Incubation period approximately 8 days
Source: EyeRounds.org. Contributor: William Charles Caccamise, Sr, MD, Retired Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Common in autumn and winter
- Wash hands and clean equipment between patients as highly contagious.
Source: EyeRounds.org. Contributor: William Charles Caccamise, Sr, MD, Retired Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Presentations
- Acute follicular conjunctivitis
- Red eye
- Mild irritation and watering
- Lid odema after 48 hours
- Bilateral
- Rapid resolution
- Pharyngoconjunctival fever
- Follicular conjunctivitis with systemic viral features
- Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
Diagnosis
- Ask about contact with conjunctivitis
- Any systemic viral features:
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Sore throat
Symptoms
- Acute red eye
- Watering
- Irritation & soreness
- Mild systemic symptoms in adults
- Children may have fever sore throat
- Mild photophobia
- Bilateral in 40%
- Intermittent blurred vision
