| Keratoconjunctivitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Keratoconjunctivitis epidemica |
 | |
| Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology, infectious diseases |
| Symptoms | Red eye, discomfort/irritation, sensitivity to light, watering, blurred vision, discharge [1] |
| Complications | Corneal scarring [2] |
| Usual onset | Sudden in an adult [3] |
| Duration | 7–10 days, can be longer [3] |
| Causes | Adenoviruses , commonly types 8 and 37 [3] |
| Diagnostic method | Visualisation, viral culture (with immunofluorescence staining), PCR (to detect viral DNA) [3] |
| Differential diagnosis | Herpes simplex type I, acanthamoeba, fungal infection [4] |
| Prevention | Hand washing [3] |
| Treatment | Cold compress, artificial tears [2] |
| Frequency | Epidemics, common, adults>children [2] |
Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, is a contagious eye infection, a type of adenovirus disease caused by adenoviruses . [1] 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. [3] Photophobia develops with blurred vision and lymphadenopathy by the ear nearest the affected eye. [2] It is often associated with a sore throat and stuffy and runny nose, mainly in adults. [3] A type of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in very young children can present with a high fever, sore throat, ear infection, vomiting and diarrhea. [3]
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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. [3] The incubation period is around five to 10 days. [3]
Usually, the condition is better after a week to 10 days without treatment. [3] Cold compresses and artificial tears may help. [2] Corneal scarring occurs in up to half of cases and the blurred vision may continue for a long time in some people. [2] The virus may remain in the eye for 2–3 years after recovering. [3]
It is a common cause of a red eye and tends to occur in large numbers of people at the same time. [2] Adults tend to be affected more frequently than children. [3]