What are the characteristics of allergic conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by ocular redness and itching. Tearing (clear tears), crusting of the eye lids and photophobia may also be seen. The condition is often recurrent, and seasonal. Children who have allergic conjunctivitis often have a history of other atopic diseases, particularly allergic rhinitis, eczema or asthma. What are the characteristics of an infectious conjunctivitis? Infectious conjunctivitis may be bacterial or viral. Bacterial conjunctivitis is twice as common as viral conjunctivitis. Typically in bacterial conjunctivitis the eye is red, there is a purulent discharge, the affected child is often a pre-schooler and there may be an associated otitis media. In viral conjunctivitis there is redness, clear tearing or crusting, usually occurs in an older school age child, and is often associated with pharyngitis. What organisms are commonly involved in bacterial conjunctivitis? The most common bacterial organisms causing conjunctivitis are Haemophilus Influ
