Conjunctivitis, Viral

Key Features

• Adenovirus infection is often associated with pharyngitis, a follicular reaction and infection of the palpebral conjunctiva, and preauricular adenopathy (pharyngoconjunctival fever)

• Epidemics of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis occur

• Conjunctivitis may also be due to enterovirus and can occur as part of an acute measles illness

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) may cause conjunctivitis or blepharoconjunctivitis

Clinical Findings

• Watery discharge associated with conjunctival injection of one or both eyes

• A vesicular rash involving the eyelids or face suggests HSV

Diagnosis

• Self-limited

Treatment

• Supportive for adenovirus conjunctivitis

• Herpes conjunctivitis

  • Can be treated with topical trifluridine 1% drops or 3% vidarabine ointment

  • Oral acyclovir may be used for treatment of the primary infection to decrease the duration and severity of the infection and as prophylaxis to reduce recurrence of herpes simplex ocular disease