2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
8 External Disease and Cornea
Chapter 10: Infectious Diseases of the External Eye: Microbial and Parasitic Infections
Highlights
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In children, the number of bacterial conjunctivitis cases is similar to that of viral conjunctivitis cases, but in adults, 80% of cases of infectious conjunctivitis are viral in origin.
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Most cases of acute bacterial conjunctivitis resolve in 2 to 7 days without treatment. Some prospective studies suggest that delaying treatment until day 3 or 4 would significantly reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics without affecting outcomes. However, treatment may be necessary in cases with persistent or worsening signs.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) practice guidelines recommend that initial cultures be obtained for patients with central, deep stromal, or large (>2 mm) corneal infiltrates and for patients whose history or clinical features suggest fungal, amebic, mycobacterial, or drug-resistant organisms as the causative agents.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.