Battling Bacterial Conjunctivitis

MEDICAL CHRONICLE | JULY 2017 27 Bacterial conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by direct contact with infected secretions. The most common organisms are Staphylococcus species, S. pneumonia, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis. It presents with conjunctival injection, mucopurulent discharge, and crusty eyelids. The diagnosis is usually clinical. The condition is often selflimiting, but there is good evidence that antibiotics improve remission rates. Most of the current evidence suggests that the choice of topical antibiotics and the treatment regimen do not significantly affect the rate of recovery from infection. Failure to recognise and treat bacterial conjunctivitis may lead to complications, such as keratitis or anterior uveitis. Aetiology: The aetiology of the condition is most commonly Staphylococcus species in adults, and Streptococcus pneumonia and the Gram-negative organisms Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in children. Contact lens wearers are at particular risk for Gram-negative infections. such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is primarily a neonatal aetiology. Conjunctivitis is a common cause of pediatric primary care visits and is a common ophthalmologic complaint in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious. It is feared that it may be easily spread in day care centers and school classrooms, leading to absences and lost time from work for parents. The most common causes of conjunctivitis are bacterial and viral infections. In the primary care setting, treatment is based solely on the clinical examination. Its prevalence is significant to the general population, because it is a leading cause of day care and school absences. Even though most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis are self-limited, it can take up to three weeks for the infection to clear. Treatment of acute