Acute conjunctivitis

May warrant investigation of tear film change following acute conjunctivitis.

Dry eye

Rarely, bacterial conjunctivitis can develop into keratitis in patients with a history of contact lens use or who are immunocompromised.[114]Morrow GL, Abbott RL. Conjunctivitis. Am Fam Physician. 1998 Feb 15;57(4):735-46. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9490996?tool=bestpractice.com Neisseria gonorrhoeae can rapidly invade a cornea.[20]Ullman S, Roussel TJ, Culbertson WW, et al. Neisseria gonorrhoeae keratoconjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. 1987 May;94(5):525-31. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3601368?tool=bestpractice.com

Keratitis

Approximately 30% to 50% of those patients with the form of adenovirus that causes epidemic keratoconjunctivitis may develop subepithelial infiltrates. This can lead to persistent visual loss and light sensitivity.[115]Butt AL, Chodosh J. Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in a tertiary care eye clinic. Cornea. 2006 Feb;25(2):199-202. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16371782?tool=bestpractice.com [116]Colón LE. Keratoconjunctivitis due to adenovirus type 8: report on a large outbreak. Ann Ophthalmol. 1991 Feb;23(2):63-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2029116?tool=bestpractice.com [117]Ankers HE, Klapper PE, Cleator GM, et al. The role of a rapid diagnostic test (adenovirus immune dot blot) in the control of an outbreak of adenovirus type-8 keratoconjunctivitis. Eye. 1993;7(Pt 3 Suppl):15-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8253218?tool=bestpractice.com [118]Jackson WB, Davis PL, Groh V, et al. Adenovirus type 19 keratoconjunctivitis in Canada. Can J Ophthalmol. 1975 Jul;10(3):326-33. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/167920?tool=bestpractice.com [119]Richmond S, Burman R, Crosdale E, et al. A large outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis due to adenovirus type 8. J Hyg (Lond). 1984 Oct;93(2):285-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6094666?tool=bestpractice.com Consider referral to an eye specialist for possible corticosteroid treatment.

Scarring of the tear ducts may cause chronic tearing.[120]Hyde KJ, Berger ST. Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and lacrimal excretory system obstruction. Ophthalm. 1988 Oct;95(10):1447-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3226692?tool=bestpractice.com Consider referral to an eye specialist for possible corticosteroid treatment.

Scarring of the conjunctiva may lead to eyelid malposition and secondary tearing or eyelash problems.[121]Hammer LH, Perry HD, Donnenfeld ED, et al. Symblepharon formation in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Cornea. 1990 Oct;9(4):338-40. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2078963?tool=bestpractice.com Consider referral to an eye specialist for possible corticosteroid treatment.