Optometry Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Optometry, including details on myopia, optometric practice, therapy.

The prevalence of adenoviral conjunctivitis at the Wills Eye Hospital Emergency Room.

Sambursky RP, Fram N, Cohen EJ

Manatee-Sarasota Eye Clinic, Bradenton, Florida, USA. robsambo@yahoo.com <robsambo@yahoo.com>

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of adenoviral conjunctivitis by analyzing data from a prospective clinical study of 50 consecutive patients presenting to the Wills Eye Hospital Emergency Room (WEH ER) with a clinical diagnosis of infectious conjunctivitis from July 2003 to October 2003. METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate all cases of clinically diagnosed infectious conjunctivitis. Based on the laboratory findings, the prevalence of adenovirus was determined. RESULTS: Of the 50 consecutive patients with acute infectious conjunctivitis, 31 patients were PCR positive for adenovirus. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of adenoviral conjunctivitis was found by PCR to represent 62% of all patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of infectious conjunctivitis from July 2003 to October 2003.

Published 4 May 2007 in Optometry, 78(5): 236-9.
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