Conjunctivitis

Basics

Infectious and noninfectious inflammation of the conjunctiva; majority of cases are self-limited

Commonly referred to as “pink eye”:

Bacterial: (Most common in children)
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Haemophilus influenzae (declining prevalence)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (most common in extended contact lens wearers)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC):
  - Neonatal or adult
  - Ophthalmic emergency
- Chlamydia trachomatis:
  - Neonatal or subacute infection (teens/adults)
Viral: (Most common in adults)
- Adenovirus, most common:
  - Some serotypes cause fulminant form epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), ophthalmic emergency
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV):
  - Ophthalmic emergency

Allergic:
- Pollen, animal dander, environmental antigens
Contact/toxic/chemical:
- May be due to chemical irritation, hypersensitivity from preservatives, medications, shampoo, chlorine, dust, smoke
- Pseudomonas commonly implicated organism in contact lens wearers

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