Conjunctivitis (peds)
This page is for pediatric patients (non-neonatal); for neonatal patients see Neonatal conjunctivitis and adult patients see conjunctivitis
Contents
Background
- Most common cause of acute red eye
- Viral infection is usual etiology
Conjunctivitis Types
Clinical Features
- Injected conjunctiva with perilimbal sparing
- Rarely painful; more irritated
Differential Diagnosis
Unilateral red eye
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma^
- Anterior uveitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Corneal erosion
- Corneal ulcer^
- Endophthalmitis^
- Episcleritis
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Inflamed pinguecula
- Inflamed pterygium
- Keratoconjunctivitis
- Keratoconus
- Nontraumatic iritis
- Scleritis^
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
- Orbital trauma
^Emergent diagnoses
^^Critical diagnoses
Evaluation
- Typically clinical
Clinical diagnosis of conjunctivitis
| Bacterial | Viral | Allergic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilateral | 50% | 25% | Mostly |
| Discharge | Mucopurulent | Clear, Watery | Cobblestoning, none |
| Redness | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pruritis | Rarely | Rarely | Yes |
| Additional | Treatment: Antibiotics | Treatment: Hygiene | Seasonal |
Management
- Viral infections - most common cause of conjunctivitis, but difficult to differentiate viral from bacterial
- Some clinicians treat all possible viral presentations as bacterial conjunctivitis
- Treatment considerations:
- Ointments - soothing effect, but interfere with vision
- Drops - no interference with vision
Bacterial Causes
Newborn, see Neonatal conjunctivitis
Chlamydial
- Doxycycline 100mg PO BID for 7 days OR
- Azithromycin 1g (20mg/kg) PO one time dose
- Newborn Treatment: Azithromycin 20mg/kg PO once daily x 3 days
- Disease manifests 5 days post-birth to 2 weeks (late onset)
Gonococcal
- Due to increasing resistance, CDC recommends dual therapy with Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin (even if patient is negative for Chlamydia).
- Ceftriaxone 250mg IM one dose PLUS
- Azithromycin 1g PO one dose
- Newborn Treatment:
- Prophylaxis: Erythromycin ophthalmic 0.5% x1
- Disease manifests 1st 5 days post delivery (early onset)
- Treatment Ceftriaxone 25-50mg IV or IM, max 125mg
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
- Counsel patient/family on importance of hand hygiene/avoiding touching face to prevent spread!
These options do not cover gonococcal or chlamydial infections
- Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim (Polytrim) 2 drops every 6 hours for 7 days OR
- Erythromycin applied to the conjunctiva q6hrs for 7 days OR
- Levofloxacin 0.5% ophthalmic solution 1-2 drops every 2 hours for 2 days THEN every 6 hours for 5 days OR
- Moxifloxacin 0.5% ophthalmic 1-2 drops every 2 hours for 2 days THEN every 6 hours for 5 days OR
- Gatifloxacin 0.5% ophthalmic solution 1-2 drops every 2 hours for 2 days THEN 1 drop every 6 hours for 5 days OR
- Azithromycin 1% ophthalmic solution 1 drop BID for 2 days THEN 1 drop daily for 5 days
NB: levofloxacin is preferred for contact lens wearers for coverage of pseudomonas. Advise not to wear contacts for duration of treatment
Viral Causes
- Non-herpetic: supportive care
- Herpetic: Acyclovir, ophto referral
Allergic
- Artificial tears and avoidance of allergens
- Consider topical antihistamines for severe symptoms
Antihistamines
- Ketotifen 1 drop q8-12hr OR
- Olopatadine 1-2 drop daily
Disposition
- Typically outpatient