conjunctivitis

see also:

• ophthalmology
• acute atraumatic painful red eye(s)

• bilateral red eyes tend to be more likely due to either conjunctivitis, welder flash burns - UV keratopathy (photo keratitis), or chemical burns, the latter two generally also cause keratitis

• usually present with bilateral itchy, mildly painful eyes with swollen, injected conjunctiva
• visual acuity may be affected if there is a lot of tearing
• infective causes generally start in one eye and spread to the other eye
• bacterial causes tend to have a purulent discharge

• adenovirus
• respiratory viruses

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• gonococcus - esp. neonatal

• fungi and parasites are rare causes and mainly in the immunocompromised

• swimming pool chlorine
• acids or alkalis
• noxious smoke or gases
• dust
• other irritants

• hay fever sufferers often develop bilateral conjunctivitis
  • in addition to exposure from allergens, symptoms will vary according to genetic makeup, with at least 34 genes identified to be associated with symptoms¹⁾

• blocked tear duct in neonates