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Overview |
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Definition |
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Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the palpebral and/or bulbar conjunctiva,
the mucous membrane covering the inside of the eyelids and the outer part of the
eye. There are several types of conjunctivitis.
- Viral conjunctivitis
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Contact conjunctivitis
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis
- Traumatic conjunctivitis
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Etiology |
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- Viral infection: Most common. Generally rhinovirus or adenovirus,
often as a result of a respiratory infection spread to the eye via contaminated
fingers, towels, or handkerchiefs. May start in one eye and spread to the
other.
- Bacterial infection: Generally Staphylococcus aureus,
Staphylococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus influenzae; occasionally
Pseudomonas, Neisseria, or Chlamydia. Neonatal conjunctivitis may
be caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia transmitted from the mother.
- Exposure to chemical irritants such as cigarette smoke, chlorine from
swimming pools, and cosmetics.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis is caused by long-term contact lens
use. There is some controversy over the specific etiology. The condition may
result from hypersensitivity to protein buildup on the lens, or from cumulative
physical irritation/trauma to the eye.
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Risk Factors |
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- Recent upper-respiratory infection
- Allergies
- Group day care situations
- Contact lens use, or other foreign body contact
- Exposure to severe wind, heat, or
cold
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Signs and Symptoms |
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Conjunctivitis produces the following in one or both eyes.
- Redness
- Itching, tearing, burning
- Discharge (watery or purulent)
- Overnight crusting
- Sensitivity to light
- Gritty sensation
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Differential
Diagnosis |
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- Foreign body
- Blepharitis
- Scleritis and episcleritis
- UV keratitis
- Herpes simplex keratitis
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
- Iritis or iridocyclitis
- Acute angle closure glaucoma
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Diagnosis |
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Physical Examination |
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Examine conjunctiva while having patient look up, down, right, and left.
Evert eyelids. The redness of conjunctivitis is nonspecific, as opposed to the
localized appearance of a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Palpable pre-auricular
lymph nodes and a clear discharge are indicative of viral conjunctivitis.
Bilateral presentation, itching, and a clear or absent discharge without lymph
node enlargement is generally indicative of allergic conjunctivitis. A thick
purulent discharge is seen in bacterial conjunctivitis. In giant papillary
conjunctivitis, enlarged papillae (0.3 mm in diameter or greater) will have
formed on the superior palpebral conjunctiva due to the eruption of
subepithelial collagen. Check for corneal abrasions or other defects using a
slit lamp and fluorescein staining. |
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Laboratory Tests |
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Cultures may be done to determine infectious organism if necessary. The
appearance of cells stained with gram stain or giemsa may indicate the presence
of eosinophils, supporting the diagnosis of allergic
conjunctivitis. |
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Other Diagnostic
Procedures |
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Visual acuity may be tested with Snellen chart if necessary for diagnosis.
Reduced visual acuity is not common with conjunctivitis and may be a sign of
iritis or iridocyclitis, acute angle closure glaucoma, or herpes simplex
keratitis. Intraocular pressure significantly elevated from the normal 10 to 20
mm Hg would not result from conjunctivitis and may be a sign of glaucoma.
Culture and immunofluorescence for herpes
simplex. |
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Treatment Options |
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Treatment Strategy |
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Viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics and is generally
self-limiting. Treatment such as vasoconstrictive drops and/or cool compresses
ease symptoms. For bacterial conjunctivitis, local antibiotics are
indicated. |
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Drug Therapies |
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- Viral conjunctivitis: Cool compresses tid for one to three weeks; may
also use antihistamines to relieve inflammation. Trifluridine 1% drops, every
two hours. Acyclovir oral and topical as indicated.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: Attempt to eliminate contact with allergen.
Treat with cool compresses, OTC or topical antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers
such as cromolyn sodium, NSAIDs (particularly ketorolac).
Vasoconstrictor/antihistamine combination of naphazoline 0.05%/antazoline 0.5%.
Possibly mild corticosteroids.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis: Polytrim drops (trimethoprim sulfate,
polymixin B sulfate, Allergan), 1 drop tid for one week, or polymixin
B-bacitracin ointment (Polysporin). Fluoroquinolones as second-line therapy.
Tobramycin (0.3%) or gentamicin as drops, or 10% sodium sulfacetamide as drops,
every four hours.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis: Avoid use of lenses until condition
clears up and then consider prescribing a different material or design. The
NSAID suprofen has been shown to be helpful in treatment, as are antihistamines.
A short course of low-dosage topical corticosteroids may be necessary initially
to reduce inflammation.
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Complementary and Alternative
Therapies |
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Mild to moderate cases of conjunctivitis may respond well to alternative
treatment. Antibiotics may be needed for bacterial infections. For mild cases,
begin with compresses. For moderate infection, use an eyewash as well. In the
case of chronic or recurrent infection, nutritional support is suggested.
Homeopathic remedies may be used for symptomatic relief. |
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Nutrition |
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Doses listed are for adults. Decrease by one-half to two-thirds for children.
Vitamin A (10,000 IU/day), vitamin C (1,000 mg tid to qid), and zinc (30 to 50
mg/day) enhance the immune response and promote healing. |
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Herbs |
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Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As
with any therapy, it is important to ascertain a diagnosis before pursuing
treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas),
glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless
otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water.
Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for
roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups/day. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as
noted.
Compresses and eye washes are external treatments. A compress is made with a
clean cloth, gauze pads, or cotton balls soaked in a solution then applied over
eyes. Washes may be used with an eye cup or sterile dropper.
Compress:
Use 5 drops of tincture in 1/4 cup water or steep 1 tsp. herb in 1 cup hot
water for 5 to 10 minutes and strain. Soak compress in solution and apply for 10
minutes, tid to qid.
- Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis): antimicrobial, astringent,
specific for eyes
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): antimicrobial, astringent,
vulnerary, calming
- Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare): antimicrobial, astringent,
vulnerary, soothing
- Marigold (Calendula officinalis): soothing
vulnerary
- Plantain (Plantago lanceolata, P. major): antimicrobial,
astringent, and demulcent. Plantago lanceolata is specific to
inflammation in the eye. The fresh leaves are superior in action.
- Flax (Linum usitat issimum) as a soothing poultice made with 1
oz. of bruised flaxseed steeped for 15 minutes in 4 oz. of water, wrapped in
cheesecloth, then applied directly to the affected eye. Reheated poultice can be
applied many times.
- Grated fresh potato has astringent properties. Wrap in cheesecloth
and apply.
Eyewash: Use above herbs singly or in combination. Mix equal parts together
then steep 1 tsp. herb in 1 cup of hot water to make a tea.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and boric acid: 10 drops of
goldenseal tincture with 1 tsp. of boric acid mixed in 1 cup of
water. |
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Homeopathy |
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An experienced homeopath should assess individual constitutional types and
severity of disease to select the correct remedy and potency. For acute
prescribing use 3 to 5 pellets of a 12X to 30C remedy every one to four hours
until acute symptoms resolve.
- Aconite for after exposure to wind or cold; thin
discharge
- Apis mellifica for red, burning, and swollen eyelids that feel
better with cold applications
- Combination remedies containing Apis, Euphrasia, and
Sabadilla may be effective for allergic conjunctivitis.
- Allium cepa for red, burning, tearing eyes that are sensitive
to light.
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Acupuncture |
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Treatment may be administered for pain relief and resolving
congestion. |
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Patient Monitoring |
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Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are both very contagious. Patients should
be advised to take appropriate steps such as frequent hand washing and using
separate towels, and family members should be monitored for signs of infection.
Children are generally excluded from school and day care situations while
infection is active. In giant papillary conjunctivitis, monitoring is especially
important once contact lens use has been resumed, in order to avoid recurrence.
Any patient on corticosteroids must be carefully monitored for increase in
intraocular pressure, infections, and incipient
cataracts. |
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Other
Considerations |
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Prevention |
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General hygiene is important in the prevention and treatment of
conjunctivitis, especially in the use of contact lenses. Contact lens patients
who have had giant papillary conjunctivitis should avoid heat disinfection and
thimerosal in their cleaning regimen.
To prevent neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis, silver nitrate is administered
to the eyes of infants shortly after birth. |
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Complications/Sequelae |
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Allergic conjunctivitis is uncomplicated in most cases. However, some
patients who are hypersensitive to allergens and develop atopic disorders such
as asthma, hay fever, urticaria, or eczema may present with a severe form,
called atopic keratoconjunctivitis, generally bilateral. Chronic marginal
blepharitis and corneal ulcers or perforations are possible with bacterial
conjunctivitis. Corneal scars are possible with viral
conjunctivitis. |
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Prognosis |
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Patients with infectious conjunctivitis should assume they will be contagious
for approximately seven days. Bacterial conjunctivitis will resolve in one to
two weeks without treatment, two to five days with treatments. Some minor
effects, such as dryness, irritation, and discomfort with contact lenses, may
linger for a few weeks. If symptoms have not improved or get worse, contact an
ophthalmologist. |
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Pregnancy |
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High doses of vitamin A and vitamin C are contraindicated in
pregnancy. |
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References |
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Abelson MB, Casey R. How to manage atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Rev
Ophthalmol. May 1996.
Abelson MB, McGarr P. How to diagnose and treat inclusion conjunctivitis.
Rev Ophthalmol. March 1997.
Abelson MB, Richard KP. What we know and don't know about GPC. Rev
Ophthalmol. August 1994.
Abelson MB, Welch D. How to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Rev
Ophthalmol. December 1994.
Acute conjunctivitis. Acupuncture.com. Accessed at
www.acupuncture.com/Clinical/Conjunct.htm on January 29, 1999.
Clinical imperatives of ocular infection. Primary Care Optometry News.
Roundtable. March 1996. Available at
www.slackinc.com/eye/pcon/199603/impera.htm.
Friedlaender MH. Update on allergic conjunctivitis. Rev Ophthalmol.
March 1997.
Homeopathic drops for allergy: ready or not? Primary Care Optometry News.
May 1996.
Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee. Canadian Pediatric Society.
Recommendations for the prevention of neonatal ophthalmia. Can Med Assoc J.
1983; 129:554-555.
Morrison R. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms.
Albany, Calif: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing; 1993:5, 28.
Pascucci S, Shovlin J. How to beat giant papillary conjunctivitis. Rev
Ophthalmol. June 1994.
Rapoza PA, Francesconi CM. How to diagnose chronic red eye. Rev
Ophthalmol. October 1997. |
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Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine
Communications This publication contains
information relating to general principles
of medical care that should not in any event be construed as specific
instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any
responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising
from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein,
including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of
product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied,
is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements
are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use.
The reader is advised to check product information (including package inserts)
for changes and new information regarding dosage, precautions, warnings,
interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or
supplement discussed herein. | |