Conjunctivitis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

Conjunctivitis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 21-year-old female with no past medical history presents to your clinic saying her eyes have been red and itchy for the past day. On a physical exam, you note conjunctival injection in bilateral eyes, along with watery discharge. There is bilateral palpable preauricular lymphadenopathy. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Allergic conjunctivitis
B. Viral conjunctivitis
C. Bacterial conjunctivitis
D. Chemical-induced conjunctivitis
E. Fungal conjunctivitis

Answer and topic summary

The answer is B. Viral conjunctivitis

Acute conjunctivitis is inflammation of the bulbar +/- palpebral conjunctiva. Etiologies include infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal) and noninfectious (allergies, autoimmune, chemical, etc.). Clinical symptoms include conjunctival injection, eyelid crusting or sticking, possibly discharge, but normal visual acuity. Viral conjunctivitis will classically have palpable preauricular lymphadenopathy; bacterial conjunctivitis may have heavier discharge. Conjunctivitis is a diagnosis of exclusion. Treatment includes cold/wet compresses, antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis, and antihistamine eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis. A referral to ophthalmology should be made for suspected herpetic keratitis, ciliary flush, photophobia, fixed pupil, decreased visual acuity, or if symptoms persist over 1 week. The best way to prevent conjunctivitis is to wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes.

View blueprint lesson

Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

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

Also covered under PAEA Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Emergency Medicine Rotation EOR topic list