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Review
. 2020 Aug 6;15(3):372-395.
doi: 10.18502/jovr.v15i3.7456. eCollection 2020 Jul-Sep.

Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review

Amir A Azari  1   2 , Amir Arabi  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review

Amir A Azari et al. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. .

Abstract

Conjunctivitis is a commonly encountered condition in ophthalmology clinics throughout the world. In the management of suspected cases of conjunctivitis, alarming signs for more serious intraocular conditions, such as severe pain, decreased vision, and painful pupillary reaction, must be considered. Additionally, a thorough medical and ophthalmic history should be obtained and a thorough physical examination should be done in patients with atypical findings and chronic course. Concurrent physical exam findings with relevant history may reveal the presence of a systemic condition with involvement of the conjunctiva. Viral conjunctivitis remains to be the most common overall cause of conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is encountered less frequently and it is the second most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is encountered in nearly half of the population and the findings include itching, mucoid discharge, chemosis, and eyelid edema. Long-term usage of eye drops with preservatives in a patient with conjunctival irritation and discharge points to the toxic conjunctivitis as the underlying etiology. Effective management of conjunctivitis includes timely diagnosis, appropriate differentiation of the various etiologies, and appropriate treatment.

Keywords: Bacterial; COVID-19; Conjunctivitis; Coronavirus; Toxic; Viral; Allergic.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adenoviral conjunctivitis presenting as bilateral watery eyes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pseudomembrane formation in a patient with adenoviral conjunctivitis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Subepithelial infiltrations in a patient with adenoviral conjunctivitis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Thick purulent discharge in a patient with acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Spectrum of allergic conjunctivitis. CS, corticosteroid
Figure 6
Figure 6
Cobblestone appearance of large conjunctival papillae in a patient with VKC (left). Limbal VKC with Horner-Trantas dots in another patient (right).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Some systemic and dermatological conditions associated with conjunctivitis.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Symblepharon formation in a patient with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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