Clinical Ophthalmology (Mar 2020)
A Review of the Differential Diagnosis of Acute Infectious Conjunctivitis: Implications for Treatment and Management
Abstract
Elizabeth Yeu,1 Scott Hauswirth2 1Virginia Eye Consultants, Norfolk, VA, USA; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USACorrespondence: Elizabeth YeuVirginia Eye Consultants, 241 Corporate Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502, USATel +1 757-622-2200Email [email protected]: The diagnosis of acute infectious conjunctivitis can be difficult. Clinical ambiguity exists between the acute viral and bacterial as well as the allergic forms, which can confound diagnosis. Also, discrimination between viral or bacterial origins of infectious conjunctivitis based on historical, nonspecific, clinical signs and symptoms contributes to a high rate of misdiagnosis and overuse of antibiotic treatment. Therefore, in order to effectively treat acute infectious conjunctivitis, physicians must be aware of the clinical signs and symptoms and available diagnostic tests that can provide a more accurate differential diagnosis.Keywords: allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis
