Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis

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[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]

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]