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Acute Viral Conjunctivitis > Drug Therapy Author: Stephen Orlin, MD
Module updated - 2008-04-08
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Rationale:

  • The anti-inflammatory effects of topical steroids can minimize the morbidity of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis once the cornea is involved.

Evidence:

  • Mainly consensus.
  • A clinical trial documented the use of topical corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of corneal infections in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (33).
  • Topical steroids have been shown to increase viral replications and infectivity; they should be avoided in acute disease (34; 35; 36; 37).
  • HSV without associated skin vescicles may masquerade as adenoviral conjunctivitis in 4% to 5% of all cases of viral conjunctivitis (5).

Comments:

  • Approximately 35% to 50% of patients who develop epidemic keratoconjunctivitis will develop corneal infiltrates (12; 38; 13).

FAQs
Robert Sambursky, MD, editorial consultant, Chief Medical Officer for Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.;served as consultant for Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.;received an honoraria for Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.;serves as consultant for Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc; owns stock options in Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.;served as board member or director for Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.;received grants and has grants pending from Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.;and has received patents and has patents pending for Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc. Stephen Orlin, MD has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.
Steven E. Weinberger, MD, FACP, Acting Editor, PIER, has stock holdings in Glaxosmithkline and Abbott.

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