Conjunctivitis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Conjunctivitis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 23-year-old woman with a history of seasonal allergies presents to the clinic with complaints of itchy, red, and watery eyes that began shortly after visiting a friend’s house with pets. She denies any eye pain, discharge, or vision changes. Her past medical history includes atopic dermatitis, but she has no other chronic conditions. Physical examination reveals bilateral conjunctival injection, mild eyelid edema, and watery, non-purulent discharge. The cornea is clear, and fluorescein staining is negative for abrasions. What is the most appropriate treatment?

A. Olopatadine ophthalmic solution
B. Oral cetirizine
C. Prednisolone acetate eye drops
D. Ciprofloxacin eye drops
E. Cold compresses and artificial tears

Answer and topic summary

The answer is A. Olopatadine ophthalmic solution

Olopatadine is a topical antihistamine with mast cell-stabilizing properties and is a first-line treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. This condition presents with itchy, red, watery eyes and often follows exposure to allergens like pet dander or pollen. Patients may also report a stringy discharge and tearing, with a background of atopic conditions like allergic rhinitis. Management primarily involves topical antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers, with artificial tears and cold compresses as adjunctive therapies. Avoiding allergens is critical for long-term management. Topical corticosteroids may be used in more severe cases under specialist care.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint EENT ⇒ Disorders of the Eye (PEARLS) ⇒ Conjunctival disorders (PEARLS) ⇒ Conjunctivitis 

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