This document discusses different types of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva). It describes the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of bacterial, viral, allergic, chemical, and vernal conjunctivitis. The most common causes of bacterial conjunctivitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by common cold viruses. Allergic conjunctivitis is a hypersensitivity reaction to allergens like pollen. Chemical conjunctivitis results from exposure to irritants. Vernal conjunctivitis is a chronic condition that occurs mostly in young males during warm weather.

2. Mr. Manikandan.T,
RN., RM., M.Sc(N)., D.C.A .,(Ph.D)
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing,
VMCON, Puducherry.

3. Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) It is
characterized by a pink appearance (hence the common term
pink eye) because of subconjunctival blood vessel congestion.

4. CAUSES
• Exogenous : causative agents are introduced
from outside – Microorganism, foreign bodies,
chemicals
• Endogenous – blood borne infection/ allergic
response

5. CLASSIFICATION
• Microbial infection (Bacterial & Viral)
• Allergy
• irritating toxic stimuli
• Vernal

6. • Bacterial conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic. The most
common causative microorganisms are Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus
aureus.
• is an infection also caused by Insects, physical contact with
other people, poor hygiene (touching the eye with unclean
hands), or using contaminated eye makeup and facial lotions
can also cause the infection. Sharing makeup and wearing
contact lenses that are not your own or are improperly
cleaned can also cause bacterial conjunctivitis.

7. Symptoms
• Redness
• burning, and discharge.
• There is papillary formation
• conjunctival irritation
• The eyes may be difficult to open because of adhesions
caused by the exudate.
• Purulent discharge occurs in severe acute bacterial
infections.
• In gonococcal conjunctivitis, the symptoms are more
acute. The exudate is profuse and purulent, and there
is lymphadenopathy.

8. Diagnosis
• Clinical evaluation
• Sometimes culture of conjunctival smear or
scrapings

9. Management
• Conjunctival sac wash with warm water/
saline
• Ask the patient to lie on affected side
• Antibiotics – ointment

10. • Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by
contagious viruses associated with the common cold.
• Herpetic conjunctivitis (Herpes simplex – conjunctival
follicles are affected)
• Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis – inflammation of
conjunctiva and enlargement of pre auricular gland.
The outbreak of epidemics is seasonal, especially
during the summer when people use swimming pools.
• Pharyngo conjunctival fever - caused by adeno virus,
follicular conjunctivitis with pharyngitis and fever.
• It can develop through exposure to the coughing or
sneezing of someone with an upper respiratory tract
infection.

11. Causes
• Measles
• Chickenpox
• Rubella
• Mumps
• Adenoviruses
• Enteroviruses

12. Symptoms
• Watery discharge
• Swelling of eye
• Photophobia
• Redness
• Blurred vision
• Foriegn body sensation
• Lid edema
• Conjunctival Hyperemia

13. Diagnosis
• H.C
• P/E

14. Management
• Hygiene (hand & environment)
• Avoid touching the noninfected eye after touching the
infected eye
• Viral conjunctivitis is self-limiting, lasting 1 wk in mild cases to
up to 3 wk in severe cases. It requires only cool compresses
for symptomatic relief.
• topical corticosteroids (eg, 1% prednisolone acetate qid).
• Antiviral drug – acyclovir drop

15. • Immunologic or allergic conjunctivitis is a
hypersensitivity reaction that occurs as part of
allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or it can be an
independent allergic reaction.

16. Causes
• allergy to pollens and other environmental
allergens.
• household dust
• pollen from trees and grass
• animal dander
• chemical scents such as household detergents
or perfume

17. Symptoms
• Pruritus
• epiphora (ie, excessive secretion of tears)
• mucoid discharge is usually associated with
rubbing the eyes because of severe pruritus.
• Red, itchy, watery, and burning eyes.
• Photophobia

18. Diagnosis
• allergy skin test
• A blood test
• A scraping of your conjunctival tissue

19. Management
• Wash the eye with cold water
• Avoid exposing to allergy
• Topical / oral anti histamine
• Instill 2 % sodium cromoglycate eye drops –
itching
• Dexamethosone eye drops - allergy

20. • Chemical conjunctivitis can be the result of
medications chlorine from swimming pools;
exposure to toxic fumes among industrial
workers or exposure to other irritants such as
smoke, hair sprays, acids, and alkalis.

21. Symptoms
• Severe pain.
• Decreased vision.
• Redness.
• Large amounts of swelling.

22. Management
• Eye irrigation with saline
• ointment may be used to decrease the
redness and irritation.

23. • Vernal conjunctivitis is long-term (chronic)
swelling (inflammation) of the outer lining of
the eyes. It occurs mostly during warm
weather.
• Caused by allergic rhinitis, asthma, and
eczema. It is most common in young males,
and most often occurs during the spring and
summer

24. Symptoms
• Burning eyes
• Discomfort in bright light (photophobia).
• Itching eyes.
• Watering eyes.

25. Management
• Corticosteroid
• Vasoconstrictors – topical epinephrine
• Cold compress, ice pack, cool ventilation