Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis
Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, is a contagious eye infection, a type of adenovirus disease caused by adenoviruses. It typically presents as a conjunctivitis with a sudden onset of a painful red eye, watery discharge and feeling that something is in the eye. Photophobia develops with blurred vision and lymphadenopathy by the ear nearest the affected eye. It is often associated with a sore throat and stuffy and runny nose, mainly in adults. A type of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in very young children can present with a high fever, sore throat, ear infection, vomiting and diarrhea.
| Keratoconjunctivitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Keratoconjunctivitis epidemica |
| Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology, infectious diseases |
| Symptoms | Red eye, discomfort/irritation, sensitivity to light, watering, blurred vision, discharge |
| Complications | Corneal scarring |
| Usual onset | Sudden in an adult |
| Duration | 7–10 days, can be longer |
| Causes | Adenoviruses, commonly types 8 and 37 |
| Diagnostic method | Visualisation, viral culture (with immunofluorescence staining), PCR |
| Differential diagnosis | Herpes simplex type I, acanthamoeba, fungal infection |
| Prevention | Hand washing |
| Treatment | Cold compress, artificial tears |
| Frequency | Epidemics, common, adults>children |
It is commonly caused by types 8 and 37 adenoviruses, spread by contaminated eye examination instruments and eye solutions, touching eyes by infected people, from inadequately chlorinated swimming pools, or other contaminated objects. The incubation period is around five to 10 days.
Usually, the condition is better after a week to 10 days without treatment. Cold compresses and artificial tears may help. Corneal scarring occurs in up to half of cases and the blurred vision may continue for a long time in some people. The virus may remain in the eye for 2–3 years after recovering.
It is a common cause of a red eye and tends to occur in large numbers of people at the same time. Adults tend to be affected more frequently than children.