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Conjunctivitis, Acute

Frances Yung-tao Wu, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Inflammation of the bulbar and/or palpebral conjunctiva of <4 weeks’ duration 
Geriatric Considerations
  • Suspect bacterial, autoimmune, or irritative process.

  • If purulent, risk of bac...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

ALERT

Red flag: Any decrease in visual acuity is not consistent with conjunctivitis alone; must document normal vision for diagnosis of true isolated conjunctivitis

 
  • Viral: contact or t...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Viral conjunctivitis does not require antibiotics, most resolve spontaneously. Clean external eyelid with wet cloth up to 4×/day. Stop use of contact lenses as long as eye is...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • If not resolved within 5 to 7 days, reconsider diagnosis or consult specialist

  • Children may be excluded from school until eye is no longer red, depending on school...

REFERENCES

1
Johnson D, Liu D, Simel D. Does this patient with acute infectious conjunctivitis have a bacterial infection? The Rational Clinical Examination: Systematic Review. JAMA. 2022:327(22):2231-...

SEE ALSO

  • Rhinitis, Allergic

  • Algorithm: Eye Pain

CODES

ICD10

  • H10.30 Unspecified acute conjunctivitis, unspecified eye

  • H10.33 Unspecified acute conjunctivitis, bilateral

  • H10.32 Unspecified acute conjunctivitis, left eye

  • H10.31 Unspecified acute conjuncti...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Conjunctivitis does not cause decreased acuity or photophobia. If visual acuity is decreased or if there is pain with ocular movements, consider more serious ophthalmic disorders.

  • Cultu...

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