keratoconjunctivitis

Introduction

Inflammation of the conjunctiva & cornea.

Etiology

• see conjunctivitis
• allergic
  • vernal: occurs in children within family history of atopy
  • atopic: generally occurs in late teens
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae & adenovirus prone to cause keratoconjunctivitis

Clinical manifestations

• see conjunctivitis
• membrane formation - epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
• papillae - vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Management

epidemic keratoconjunctivitis

• hand hygiene.
• disposable gloves for contact with eye secretions
• disinfect ophthalmologic instruments after every use, or use disposable instruments
  • isopropyl alcohol is not sufficient for disinfecting ophthalmologic instruments that contact typically sterile body sites
• ensure patients with suspected conjunctivitis have a separate waiting room, sign-in area, & exam room
• staff members with signs of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis should stay home

More general terms

• keratitis
• conjunctivitis

More specific terms

• epidemic keratoconjunctivitis; shipyard eye (EKC)
• ophthalmia nodosa; nodular conjunctivitis