Epidemiology

Conjunctivitis commonly affects men, women and children of all ages. In the US, 3% of all emergency department visits are ocular related, with 30% of these due to conjunctivitis. Two percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for eye conditions, with 54% of these being either conjunctivitis or corneal abrasion.[2] Similarly, in England, there are 13-14 cases in 1000 people per year.[3][4] The incidence rate appears to be higher in children ages <1 year old (80 cases in 1000 patient-years) than in children ages >4 years (12 cases in 1000 patient-years).[5]

Seasonal conjunctivitis represents >90% of cases of allergic conjunctivitis.[6][7][8][9][10]​​​ An online survey in the US found that the majority of patients with seasonal conjunctivitis report moderate to severe symptoms that significantly impair their quality of life.[11] Perennial conjunctivitis is less common, but 80% of these patients have seasonal flares.[6] Atopic allergic conjunctivitis disease is more common in adults, and vernal allergic conjunctivitis (a more severe, chronic form of allergic conjunctivitis) is more common in boys.[12]​ Atopic and vernal conjunctivitis together represent 2% of ocular allergic disease; atopic dermatitis occurs in 3% of the population, and 25% of these have ocular involvement.[7][8][9][10]​​​ Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is more common in males.[1][13]​​ Vernal keratoconjunctivitis prevalence varies widely geographically and has seasonal variation, greatest in hot, dry climates, highest incidence in African countries.[12]​​

​Prevalence estimates, based on limited evidence, indicate that bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children, and viral conjunctivitis is more common in adults.[14]

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (a subtype of mucous membrane pemphigoid) and neoplastic conjunctivitis are rare.[15][Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Allergic (vernal) keratoconjunctivitisFrom the collection of Mr Hugh Harris; used with permission [Citation ends].com.bmj.content.model.Caption@2e206df5[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Bacterial conjunctivitisFrom the collection of Mr Hugh Harris; used with permission [Citation ends].com.bmj.content.model.Caption@5f7baf6[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Viral conjunctivitisFrom the collection of Robert Sambursky, MD; used with permission [Citation ends].com.bmj.content.model.Caption@770a1eab

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