Conjunctivitis natural history

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [3]

Overview

The conjunctivitis outcome is usually good with treatment. Infective conjunctivitis resolves, in 65% of cases, within 2-5 days If left untreated, viral conjunctivitis will generally clear without any complications. Bacterial conjunctivitis is often self-limited. If left untreated, bacterial conjunctivitis will clear within 1 or 2 weeks without any complications, and it is generally associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. However, bacterial conjunctivitis associated with extremely pathogenic bacteria, such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is associated with significant morbidity and may result in systemic involvement and mortality.

Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis is associated with corneal involvement, and therefore it has a poor long term prognosis Allergic conjunctivitis improves by eliminating or significantly reducing contact with the allergen. If left untreated, most cases of allergic conjunctivitis may resolve without any long-term consequences. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with Sjögren's syndrome is associated with a particularly poor prognosis and requiring a longer course of treatment.[1]

Natural History

Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by adenovirus. It presents with watery discharge, hyperemia, chemosis, and lymphadenopathy. If left untreated, most cases of viral conjunctivitis are mild and will clear up in 7 to 14 days without any long-term consequences. if complications arise, viral conjunctivitis can take two or more weeks to resolve. If the conjunctivitis persists, the epithelial abnormalities may occur. In general, the stromal or subepithelial abnormalities may resolved. However, the stromal abnormalities may persist for months to years, long after the epithelial changes have resolved. In such cases, If subepithelial infiltrates are in the pupillary axis, they may lead to decreased vision.[1]

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is often caused by picornavirus. It presents with a severe red, swollen eyes as well as subconjuntival hemorrhaging, and will clear up in 5 to 7 days. If left untreated, almost always resolves without sequelae.[2]

Bacterial conjunctivitis presents with red eye, purulent or mucopurulent discharge, and chemosis. The incubation period for bacterial conjunctivitis is estimated to be 1 to 7 days. If left untreated, most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis will clear up in 7 to 10 days without any long-term consequences. If left untreated, In patients who have purulent or mucopurulent discharge (suspected chlamydial and gonococcal conjunctivitis), who wear contact lenses, and who are immunocompromised may cause corneal damage (such as corneal ulcer, scar, and perforation), sepsis, and meningitis. This may lead to permanent blindness and death.[3]

Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis (HBC) is often caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually active adults. It presents with a severe copious purulent discharge, eyelid swelling, eye pain on palpation, preauricular adenopathy, and decreased vision. If left untreated, may cause corneal involvement. this may lead to corneal perforation.[4]

Neonatal conjunctivitis is one of the most common infections occurring in the first month of life. Chemical conjunctivitis secondary to silver nitrate solution application usually occurs in the first day of life, and disappears spontaneously within 2-4 days. In the absence of adequate prophylaxis, 30% to 42% of infants born by vaginal delivery to infected mothers will develop gonococcal conjunctivitis. Gonococcal conjunctivitis tends to occur 2-7 days after birth, and tends to be more severe than other causes of ophthalmia neonatorum. It presents with severe bilateral purulent conjunctivitis, tearing, eyelids swelling. If left untreated, may cause corneal involvement such as diffuse epithelial edema, ulceration, diffuse opacification, and corneal perforation . This may lead to blindness, ultimately sepsis, or death. The onset of chlamydial conjunctivitis is usually later than gonococcal conjunctivitis. In the absence of adequate prophylaxis, 30% to 50% of infants born by vaginal delivery to infected mothers will develop chlamydial conjunctivitis. The incubation period is 5-14 days. Chlamydial conjunctivitis presents with mild hyperemia, watery discharge, eyelid swelling, papillary reaction, and pseudomembrane formation. If left untreated, can progress to copious and purulent discharge.This may lead to central corneal opacification and blindness. Herpetic conjunctivitis is a rare cause of neonatal conjunctivitis. It usually occurs within the first 2 weeks after birth and has an incubation period of approximately 6-14 days. If left untreated, HSV conjunctivitis can cause corneal scarring and ulceration. Additionally, disseminated HSV infection can cause central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Ophthalmia neonatorum caused by pseudomonas is rare but can present with eyelid edema, erythema, and purulent discharge. If left untreated, can progress to corneal perforation, endophthalmitis, blindness, and possibly death.[5][6]

Allergic conjunctivitis usually presents with itching of the eyes and eyelid swelling. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the most common form of the condition, and symptoms are related to season-specific aeroallergens. If left untreated, most cases of allergic conjunctivitis improves by eliminating or significantly reducing contact with the allergen (pollen or animal dander) without any long-term consequences.[7]

keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) presents with a foreign body sensation, mucoid discharge, ocular dryness, excessive tearing (reflex secretion), photophobia, itching, and blurry vision. , symptoms tend to be worse toward the end of the day. If left untreated, with prolonged use of the eyes, or with exposure to extreme environmental conditions, corneal perforation, and corneal ulceration may occur. This may lead to permanent blindness.[8]

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) symptoms develop around the sixth decade of life, and include a foreign body sensation, burning sensation, pruritus, and dry eye sensation. Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitistypically is associated with remission as the natural history and eventual total resolution, although symptoms may last for years.[9]

Complications

Viral Conjunctivitis

Complications to viral conjunctivitis include:[10]

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Complications are expected to develop only in cases caused by extremely pathogenic bacteria (such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Complications to bacterial conjunctivitis include:[11]

Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Complications to neonatal conjunctivitis include:[12]

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Complications to allergic conjunctivitis include:[13][14]

  • Conjunctivochalasis (chronic recurrences)
  • Ulceration
  • Opacification
  • Visual loss
  • Steroid induced intraocular pressure elevations
  • Cataract

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Complications to Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) include:[15]

Prognosis

Viral conjunctivitis is often self-limited and most patients recover in 2 to 4 weeks, and is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. However, viral conjunctivitis associated with subepithelial infiltrates may last for several months, and may cause decreased vision.[16]

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis almost always resolves without sequelae, and has a good visual prognosis.[17]

Bacterial conjunctivitis is often self-limited and most patients recover in 1 or 2 weeks, and generally is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. However, bacterial conjunctivitis associated with extremely pathogenic bacteria, such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is associated with significant morbidity and may result in systemic involvement and mortality.[18]

Hyperacute bacterial conjunctivitis (HBC) is associated with corneal involvement and subsequent corneal perforation, and therefore these patients have a poor long term prognosis.[19]

Early detection and early treatment of neonatal conjunctivitis is associated with a good prognosis. Neonatal conjunctivitis associated with misdiagnosis is associated with systemic involvement and may result in more complicated course and poor outcomes.[20]

Allergic conjunctivitis is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. However, atopic keratovonjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (allergic conjunctivitis subtypes) are associated with poor outcomes.[21]

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) is associated with a favorable long-term prognosis. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with Sjögren's syndrome is associated with a particularly poor prognosis and requiring a longer course of treatment.[22]

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is associated with excellent prognosis, with remission as the natural history and eventual total resolution.[23]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Rose P (2007). "Management strategies for acute infective conjunctivitis in primary care: a systematic review". Expert Opin Pharmacother. 8 (12): 1903–21. doi:10.1517/14656566.8.12.1903. PMID 17696792.
  2. Azari AA, Barney NP (2013). "Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment". JAMA. 310 (16): 1721–9. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318. PMC 4049531. PMID 24150468.
  3. Leibowitz HM (2000). "The red eye". N Engl J Med. 343 (5): 345–51. doi:10.1056/NEJM200008033430507. PMID 10922425.
  4. Høvding G (2008). "Acute bacterial conjunctivitis". Acta Ophthalmol. 86 (1): 5–17. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0420.2007.01006.x. PMID 17970823.
  5. Mallika P, Asok T, Faisal H, Aziz S, Tan A, Intan G (2008). "Neonatal conjunctivitis - a review". Malays Fam Physician. 3 (2): 77–81. PMC 4170304. PMID 25606121.
  6. Matejcek A, Goldman RD (2013). "Treatment and prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum". Can Fam Physician. 59 (11): 1187–90. PMC 3828094. PMID 24235191.
  7. La Rosa M, Lionetti E, Reibaldi M, Russo A, Longo A, Leonardi S; et al. (2013). "Allergic conjunctivitis: a comprehensive review of the literature". Ital J Pediatr. 39: 18. doi:10.1186/1824-7288-39-18. PMC 3640929. PMID 23497516.
  8. Schaumberg DA, Dana R, Buring JE, Sullivan DA (2009). "Prevalence of dry eye disease among US men: estimates from the Physicians' Health Studies". Arch Ophthalmol. 127 (6): 763–8. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.103. PMC 2836718. PMID 19506195.
  9. Watson S, Tullo AB, Carley F (2002). "Treatment of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis with a unilateral bandage contact lens". Br J Ophthalmol. 86 (4): 485–6. PMC 1771108. PMID 11914237.
  10. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2011). "Management of acute infective conjunctivitis". Drug Ther Bull. 49 (7): 78–81. doi:10.1136/dtb.2011.02.0043. PMID 21733975.
  11. Høvding G (2004). "[Acute bacterial conjunctivitis]". Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 124 (11): 1518–20. PMID 15195156.
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015)[1] Accessed on June 30, 2016
  13. Jun J, Bielory L, Raizman MB (2008). "Vernal conjunctivitis". Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 28 (1): 59–82, vi. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2007.12.007. PMID 18282546.
  14. Bonini S (2004). "Atopic keratoconjunctivitis". Allergy. 59 Suppl 78: 71–3. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2004.00570.x. PMID 15245362.
  15. Zoukhri D (2006). "Effect of inflammation on lacrimal gland function". Exp Eye Res. 82 (5): 885–98. doi:10.1016/j.exer.2005.10.018. PMC 1361268. PMID 16309672.
  16. Jhanji V, Chan TC, Li EY, Agarwal K, Vajpayee RB (2015). "Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis". Surv Ophthalmol. 60 (5): 435–43. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2015.04.001. PMID 26077630.
  17. Yin-Murphy M (1976). "Simple tests for the diagnosis of picornavirus epidemic conjunctivitis (acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis)". Bull World Health Organ. 54 (6): 675–9. PMC 2366581. PMID 1088513.
  18. "Bacterial conjunctivitis in children: antibiotic eye drops only if eye washing is ineffective". Prescrire Int. 16 (89): 120–1. 2007. PMID 17585426.
  19. Workowski KA, Berman S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010). "Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010". MMWR Recomm Rep. 59 (RR-12): 1–110. PMID 21160459.
  20. Fransen L, Nsanze H, Klauss V, Van der Stuyft P, D'Costa L, Brunham RC; et al. (1986). "Ophthalmia neonatorum in Nairobi, Kenya: the roles of [[Neisseria gonorrhoeae]] and [[Chlamydia trachomatis]]". J Infect Dis. 153 (5): 862–9. PMID 3084664. URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  21. Kumar S (2009). "Vernal keratoconjunctivitis: a major review". Acta Ophthalmol. 87 (2): 133–47. doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.01347.x. PMID 18786127.
  22. Stern ME, Beuerman RW, Fox RI, Gao J, Mircheff AK, Pflugfelder SC (1998). "The pathology of dry eye: the interaction between the ocular surface and lacrimal glands". Cornea. 17 (6): 584–9. PMID 9820935.
  23. Nelson JD (1989). "Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK)". Eye (Lond). 3 ( Pt 2): 180–9. doi:10.1038/eye.1989.26. PMID 2695351.


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