3. INTRODUCTION
• Inflammation of the conjunctiva (clear
membrane that covers the sclera and inside of
the eyelids).
• Discoloration of the eye hence “pink eye” or
“red eye”.
• Sporadic or epidemic (in workplaces, schools
or swimming pools)
4. CAUSATIVE AGENT
• Adenovirus is the most common causative
agent
• Types of adenoviral infections:
Non-specific acute follicular conjunctivitis
Pharyngoconjunctival fever (PFC)
Chronic/relapsing adenoviral conjunctivitis
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)
5. EKC
• Highly contagious and most severe form
• Serovars 8, 4, 19, 37
• Incubation: 2-7 days
• Communicability: upto 10-14 days
6. COMPLAINTS
• Contact with patient with red eye/sick
• Itchy eyes
• Red eyes
• Tearing
• Discharge / sticky eyelashes
• Photosensitivity
• Foreign body sensation (particles)
• Blurred vision
• Others: fevers, headaches, fatigue, swollen lymph
nodes
11. DIAGNOSIS
• History and a physical examination
• Signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis tend to
be nonspecific and can lead to inaccurate
diagnosis
• Diagnostic methods such as Cell culture and
immune assays or Polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) are expensive and not readily available
in most outpatient settings.
12. MANAGEMENT
• Currently no effective treatment.
• Spontaneous resolution 2-3 weeks
• Management is centered on symptom relief
Cold/warm compresses
Artificial tears
Discontinue contact lenses
Topical antihistamines to reduce itchiness
Topical cycloplegics
13. MANAGEMENT…cont’d
• Topical antibiotics if secondary bacterial
infection is suspected.
• Removal of symptomatic
pseudomembranes or membranes.
• Povidone-iodine has been shown to
decrease infectivity (off label treatment)
• Gancyclovir gel : shortens the duration of
EKC and reduce development of
subepithelial infiltrates
14. HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
• The virus remain infectious on porous surfaces
for 10 days and nonporous surfaces for over one
month
• A patient spreads the disease by rubbing their
eyes and then touching another object.
• It can spread via respiratory or infected bodily
secretions by entering the body through the
nose, throat or conjunctiva.
• Hospital setting is often the point of origin for
many EKC outbreaks.
15. PREVENTION
• Best method to battle the disease
• Meticulous hand hygiene
• Wearing gloves (hospital set-up)
• Avoid touching the eyes or face
• Avoid sharing towels
• Avoid sharing cosmetics
• Avoid sharing eye drops
• STAY HOME if infected
16. MYTHS
• Tea
• Coconut water
• Salt water
• Jasmine water
• Sea water
• Honey
• Breast milk
