What is
conjuctivatis?
• Conjunctivitis: An inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the inner
surface of the
eyelids
and the cornea (conjunctiva).
Epidemiology
• Conjunctivitis is the most common eye disease worldwide
• The disease is highly contagious
• Conjunctivitis is caused by:
o
Viruses such as herpes simplex, Molluscum
contagiosum and measles virus
o
Bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Staphylococcus
aureus and Chlamydia
trachomatis serotypes A-C.
o
Fungal such as Candida albicans
o
Parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides,
Schistosoma haematobium and Taenia solium
• Transmission is by:
o
Contact with ocular discharge
o
Contact with secretions from upper
respiratory tract of infected person through
contaminated
fingers, clothing and other articles
o
Flies may transmit the disease from
infected person to another (mechanical
transmission)
• The disease is common in children
• The predisposing factors include
o
Poor personal hygiene
o
Inadequate water supply
o
Overcrowding
o
Poor environmental hygiene • Foreign body sensation
• Scratching or burning sensation
• Sensation of fullness around the eye
• Itching
• Photophobia
Sign of
conjuctivitis
• Oedema of eyelids
• The eyes are watery and feels ‘gritty’
• There is no actual pain or loss of vision
• If there is pain the cornea is probably also affected
• Normally both eyes are affected
Most Important Signs
• Hyperaemia
• Tearing
• Exudation (purulent drainage)
• Pseudoptosis (drooping of the upper lid)
• If trachoma is left untreated it can lead to blindness
• Note: Other conditions causing a red eye must be excluded
particularly a foreign body to
the eye
Diagnostic Methods
• Do clinical examination to rule out other courses of red
eyes.
• Take pus swab for microscopic examination (Gram stain or
Giemsa) and culture if the
discharge
is purulent
Treatment of Conjunctivitis
• Cleaning the infected eyes regularly by soap and water (do
not put soap in the eyes).
• Hand washing is essential to avoid transmitting infection to
unaffected eye or to others in
the
household.
• Apply Chloramphenicol eyes ointment or 1% Tetracycline eye
ointment for five days.
• Eye drops are more convenient for the patient but is short
lived.
• If no response, eye specialist for further evaluation and
management.
• If gram stain shows gram negative diplococci, add systemic
antibiotic to cover
Gonorrhea.
• Most of Conjunctivitis cases are caused by virus from
systemic viral infection such as
measles
virus.
• They are only treated by frequent eye washing and
antibiotics are not indicated, but if
there
is secondary bacterial infection apply antibiotic (i.e. presence of purulent
discharge
from eyes).
Prevention and Control of
Conjunctivitis
• Personal hygiene-hand washing
• Care and treatment of infected eyes
• Proper refuse disposal to prevent fly breeding
• Health education at the community and schools on personal
hygiene and danger of
improper
refuse disposal
• Improve water supply
