Diagnosis
Redness of the conjunctiva aka pink eye.
Epidemiologic Risks
It depends on the organism.
Microbiology
Bacterial: S. aureus and S. pneumonia are the most common organisms in the adult; if you put your finger in your eye, any organism can be inoculated.
Viral: Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: most commonly Adenovirus serotype 8 and others; Enterovirus 70 causes hemorrhagic conjunctivitis; as well as Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus.
Every class of organism can infect the conjunctiva so history and cultures are important.
Can also be allergic and due to chemical irritation.
Empiric Therapy
Usually, an antibiotic eye drop for 10 days: quinolone and aminoglycosides both come in eye drops, which one you use makes little difference.
Pearls
A few diseases that can manifest in the eye: Leptospirosis (suffusion), Tularemia, Syphilis, Bartonella (Parinauds syndrome).
Rants
Last Update: 06/11/18.