High -Yield Internal Medicine Board Exam Pearls by Knowmedge - HTML preview

Bacterial

 Common causing agents are Staph aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or

Haemophilus influenzae. People who wear contact lenses can be infected by

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

 Presence of mucopurulent discharge and crusting can occur in the morning when the

discharge is dry

 Usually leads to redness of unilateral eye but may have bilateral involvement if

spread occurs by rubbing both eyes

 Should be treated with antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin ointment and/or polymyxin-

trimethoprim drops) for 5-7 days

 Patients who wear contact lenses should not wear contact lenses for at least 7 days

 If patient has bacterial conjunctivitis for 4 weeks, this is chronic in nature and should

be evaluated by an ophthalmologist