Allergic conjunctivitis

Clinical Features

1. Itching
2. Watery discharge
3. Injected and edematous conjunctiva
4. Papillae on inferior conjunctival fornix
5. Red, swollen eyelids

Differential Diagnosis

Conjunctivitis Types

• Viral conjunctivitis
  • Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
  • Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
  • Herpes simplex keratitis
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
  • Gonorrheal conjunctivitis
  • Chlamydia conjunctivitis
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Caustic keratoconjunctivitis

Treatment

1. Mild: avoid triggers, cool compresses x 15 minutes QID
2. Moderate: Histamine-blocking drops (e.g. olopatadine, pemirolast, or ketotifen)
3. Severe: referral to opthalmology for possible steroid therapy

Disposition

• Outpatient ophthalmology follow-up

See Also

• Conjunctivitis
• Eye Algorithm (Main)

Source

• Mahmood, Narang. Diagnosis and management of acute red eye. Emerg Med Clin N Am 2008;26
• Tintinalli