Conjunctivitis

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing II (Theory)

Overview

An infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva is known as conjunctivitis. It is the most prevalent eye condition in the world. Due to bleeding in the subconjunctival blood vessels, it has a pink appearance. Conjunctivitis affects both eyes and can be acute or chronic. It can happen at any age and in any season, but spring and fall are the most typical times for it to happen. It is typically brought on by an organism infection. Chlamydia infection, particularly chlamydia trachomatis, and bacterial infections, particularly staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pneumococcus, can all lead to conjunctivitis. Although conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes, it typically begins in one eye and spreads to the other by hand contact. The management of conjunctivitis depends on the type. Most types of mild and viral conjunctivitis are self – limiting, benign conditions that may not require treatment and laboratory procedures. Depending on the type, conjunctivitis is treated differently. The majority of mild and viral conjunctivitis types are benign, self-limiting illnesses that may not need medical attention or testing.

Aetiology

All ages and seasons are susceptible to conjunctivitis, but spring and autumn are the most typical times for cases to occur. It is typically brought on by an organism infection.

Bacterial infection, especially staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus
Viral infection, especially herpex simplex, adenovirus
Chlamydia infection: especially chlamydia trachomatis
Fungal infection: candida albicans
Allergy – it is often caused by allergic reaction. Eg. Cosmetics, pollen grains, dust etc.
Chemical or irritative reaction to acid, alkalis, smoke, wind, ultraviolet light
Chronic irritation due to rubbing, entropion, and wearing of control lens
Acute infective fever such as measles
Mechanical trauma such as sunburn.

Clinical manifestation

General symptoms include:

Foreign body sensation
Scratching or burning sensation
Itching and photophobia

Although conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes, it typically begins in one eye and spreads to the other through hand contact.

Diagnosis

Physical examination reveals congested vessels in conjunctiva
Culture and sensitivity tests.

Types of Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis
Chlamydia conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis

Management

Depending on the type, conjunctivitis is treated differently. The majority of mild and viral conjunctivitis types are benign, self-limiting illnesses that may not need medical attention or testing.

For more severe cases, topical antibiotics, eye drops or ointment are prescribed.
Patients with gonococcal conjunctivitis require urgent antibiotic therapy. if left untreated, this ocular disease can lead to corneal perforation and blindness. The systemic complications can include meningitis and generalized septicemia.
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is almost always self- limiting. If left untreated, the disease follows a 2 weeks course with a resolution of symptoms. If treated with appropriate antibiotics, it may last for a few days, with the exception of gonococcal and staphylococcal conjunctivitis.
Viral conjunctivitis is not responsive to any treatment. A cold compress may alleviate some symptoms.

Things to remember

An infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva is known as conjunctivitis.
It is the most prevalent eye condition in the world.
Due to bleeding in the sub conjunctival blood vessels, it has a pink appearance.
It typically affects both eyes and can be acute or persistent.
All ages and seasons are susceptible to conjunctivitis, but spring and autumn are the most typical times for cases to occur.
It is typically brought on by an organism infection.
Infections with bacteria, particularly staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pneumococcus, viruses, particularly herpes simplex and adenovirus, and infections with chlamydia, particularly chlamydia trachomatis, can all result in conjunctivitis.
Although conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes, it typically begins in one eye and spreads to the other by hand contact.
Depending on the type, conjunctivitis is treated differently. The majority of mild and viral conjunctivitis types are benign, self-limiting illnesses that may not need medical attention or testing.

Questions and Answers

Define Conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis is an infection of the conjunctiva caused by inflammation. It is the most common ocular disease on the planet. Because of subconjunctival blood vessel haemorrhage, it has a pink appearance. It can be acute or chronic, and it typically affects both eyes.

What are the causes of conjuntivitis ?

Conjunctivitis occurs at all ages and at all seasons but it is most commonly seen in spring and autumn. It is most commonly caused by infection with an organism.

Bacterial infection, especially staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus
Viral infection, especially herpex simplex , adenovirus
Chlamydia infection: especially chlamydia trachomatis
Fungal infection: candidia albicans
Allergy – it is often caused by allergic reaction. Eg. Cosmetics, pollen grains, dust etc.
Chemical or irritative reaction to acid , alkalis, smoke , wind , ultraviolent light
Chronic irritation due to rubbing , entropion and wearing of control lense
Acute infective fever such as measles
Mechanical trauma such as sunburn.

What are the management of conjunctivities ?

The management of conjunctivities depends on the type. Most types of mild and viral conjunctivities are self – limiting , benign conditions that may not require treatment and laboratory procedures.

For more severe cases,topical antibiotics , eye drops or ointment are prescribed.
Patients with gonococcal conjunctivities requires urgent antibiotic therapy . if left untreated , this ocular disease can lead to corneal perforation and blindness. The systemic complications can include meningities and generalized septicemia.
Acute bacterial conjunctivities is almost always self- limiting. If left untreated , the disease follows a 2 weeks course with resolution of symptoms. If treated with appropriate antibiotics, it may last for a few days, with the exception of gonococcal and staphylococcal conjunctivities.
Viral conjunctivities is not responsive to any treatment. Cold compress may alleviate some symptoms.