Diagnosis
•By presenting signs and symptoms •Procedure of conjunctival swabs (bacterial or viral)
•Patch test: used for detection of delayed allergic reactions.
•Conjunctival scrapes for cytology – chlamydial fungi, allergy and dysplasia Flourescerine Dye stain: stain presentation Phynolephrine bleaching test; as a differential diagnostic test
Differential Diagnosis
These present with decreased vision, high sensitivity to light, inability to keep the eye open, unreactive pupil, severe headache with nausea etc.
They include:
•Corneal Abrasion
•Subconjunctival haemorrhage
•Pinguecula
•Blepharitis
•Dacryocystitis
•Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Dry eye)
•Keratitis
•Herpes simplex
•Herpes Zoster
•Scleritis / Episcleritis
•Uveitis
•Acute angle glocure glancoma
•Endopthalmitis
Orbital cellulitis
Prevention
•Good Hygiene – by washing of hands.
•Vaccination against adenovirus, haemophilus influenza, pneumococcus and Neisseria meningitides.
Management of conjunctivitis
•Resolves in 65% of cases without treatment
Viral:- resolves on its own ad without specific treatment
Allergic: – cool water poured over the face helps to contrict capittarier
•Artificial tears help in mild cases
•Antiihistamine and mast cell stabilizers (topical and oral medications)
•NSAID- such as keterolac. etc
•Anti-histamine / decongestants combinations viz pheniramine/naphazoline ie visine A
Bacterial: – Antibiotic may be needed if there is no improvement after 3days in uncomplicated cases and in contact lens conjunctivitis
•Both oral and tropical antibiotic are used in gonorrheal and Chlamydia infection
•Treatment should be based on strains of bacteria Chemical:- Copious irrigation, ringers lactate or saline solution
Touching of eyes should be avoided in alkali burns as not to spread the sites affected .