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Conjunctivitis
Eye Infections

Viral
- Red conjunctiva
- Mucoid discharge in am
- Watery discharge throughout the day
- Resolves without treatment in 2-3 weeks
- May have cold symptoms
- No eye pain or blurred vision

Allergic
- Watery discharge usually but can be mucoid
- Bilateral eye involvement
- Swelling and redness of conjunctiva
Other allergy symptoms - Waxing and waning for weeks
- Responds to allergy drops

Bacterial
- Green, yellow or white discharge
- Sticky eyelashes in am (eyes glued shut)
- Responds quickly to antibacterial drops
- No eye pain or blurred vision
Please note:
- All types of conjunctivitis (viral or bacterial) in school or college age students are treated with antibacterial antibiotics drops.
- Please go to ER if you have blurred vision or eye pain.
External Stye:à Warm compresses Internal Stye:à oral antibiotics
Gonococcal Conjunctivitis = marked eyelid edema, marked eye redness, marked purulent discharge and periauricular lymphadenopathy
à Treat with : Ceftriaxone 1 gram IM + Azithromycin 1 gram PO.
Chlamidial Conjunctivitis = Eyelid edema, Mucoid discharge and bulbar conjunctival follicles and periauricular lymphadenopathy
àTreat with : Azithromycin 1 gram PO.
RED FLAGS: (please seek the eye doctor advice or go to ER if you have)
- Sever Eye Pain
- Blurred vision
- Not improving or getting worse
Other common eye infections

External Stye
A stye is an abscess within the eyelid at the base of the eye lashes hair follicles.its primary treatment is warm compresses application ,this will raise the temperature inside the pus pocket raising the pressure and forcing it to drain

Internal stye
Diffuse swelling and redness caused by infection of the Meibomian Gland ( inner eyelid surface)
It is usually treated with oral antibiotics

Orbital cellulitis
This condition is caused by infection of the skin around the eye and it threatens the eye
It is considered a true eye emergency
Go to ER
Acute Conjunctivitis
Viral Conjunctivitis |
Bacterial Conjunctivitis |
Allergic Conjunctivitis |
|
Infectivity |
Highly contagious | Highly contagious | Not contagious |
Spread |
Direct contact with infected person or Contact with contaminated object (door handle, towel..) | Direct contact with infected person or Contact with contaminated object (door handle, towel…) | |
Age Group |
Older children and adults | 5 years and younger | Any age |
Associated symptoms |
Fever, runny nose , sore throat And swollen lymph nodes around the ear (adenovirus) | May have other bacterial infection like middle ear | Allergy symptoms waxing and waning for weeks or acute allergy |
Eye Discharge |
Mucoid crust in am, watery throughout the day | Muco purulent in am and throughout the day Can be yellow , green or white | Watery but can be mucoid |
Eyes glued shut in am |
Usually NO |
Usually yes |
No |
Eye feeling |
Burning, sandy gritty feeling | Itchy and burning | Itchy |
Eye Exam |
Intensely red conjunctiva With watery discharge | Mildly red conjunctiva with purulent discharge | Edema, Redness and Chemosis Papillary hypertrophy of upper tarsal conjunctiva |
Treatment |
Resolves without treatment But usually school children are treated regardless with antibiotics drops So they are allowed back to school.(school rule) | Responds quickly to Antibiotics Drops or ointment | Allergy drops |
Expected course |
Usually gets worse in 3-5 days then start gradually improving over 1-2 weeks (total course up to 2-3 weeks) | Responds quickly to treatment but can resolve (adults) without treatment in 7-10 days | Responds to treatment |