Management: conjunctivitis usually self-limiting
Typical viral conjunctivitis caused by the adenoviruses or other common viruses (not herpes) does not require medication. Warm compresses may be recommended to reduce discomfort. Infectious conjunctivitis caused by bacteria are also usually self-limiting; however, a recent meta-analysis indicates that treatment with antibiotics can shorten the clinical duration (LOE=1a).5
Appropriate medications for bacterial conjunctivitis include 0.3% tobramycin or gentamycin, 10% sodium sulfacetamide, or erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. If herpetic keratoconjuntivitis is suspected, prompt ophthalmologic referral is indicated.1
Patient’s treatment and outcome
This patient was managed with reassurance and symptomatic treatment of her viral respiratory illness. Her red eyes and upper respiratory infection both resolved spontaneously within 1 week.
As her nevus had not changed in many years, she was instructed to continue to watch the nevus and report any changes to a physician for evaluation. If the lesion changed in the future, she should be referred to an ophthalmologist.
Drug brand names
- Erythromycin (ophthalmic) • Ilotycin
- Gentamycin (ophthalmic) • Garamycin, Genoptic Liquifilm, Genoptic SOP, Gentacidin, Gentafair, Gentak, Ocu-Mycin, Spectro-Genta
- Sulfacetamide (ophthalmic) • AK-Sulf, Bleph-10, Cetamide, Isopto Cetamide, Ocusulf-10, Sodium Sulamyd, Sulf-10
- Tobramycin (ophthalmic) • AKTob, Tobrex
Correspondence
Richard P. Usatine, Editor, Photo Rounds, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, Dept of Family and Community Medicine, MC 7794, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900. E-mail: usatine@uthscsa.edu.