CONJUNCTIVITIS

K.PUVIYARASI
MSN DEPT
MNC
 Conjunctivitis

• Inflammation of the conjunctiva

(conjunctivitis) is classically defined as
conjunctival hyperaemia associated with a
discharge which may be watery, mucoid,
mucopurulent or purulent.
 Etiology
Causes of conjunctivitis maybe fallin to two broad categories: Infectious:
•  bacterial
•  viral
•  parasitic
•  mycotic
• Noninfectious
• from a persistent irritation (such as lack of tear fluid or uncorrected
refractive error
• allergic
• toxic(duetoirritants such as smoke, dust, etc.)
•  asaresultofanotherdisorder(suchasStevens –J ohnsonsyndrome).
• Clinical features of conjunctival inflammation
• 1) Symptoms
• Non-specific symptoms include lacrimation,
grittiness, stinging and burning. Itching is
• the hallmark of allergic disease, although it may
also occur to a lesser extent in
• blepharitis and dry eye. Significant pain,
photophobia or a marked foreign body
• sensation suggest corneal involvement.
• 2) Discharge
•  Watery discharge is composed of a serous exudate and tears, and
occurs in acute
• viral or acute allergic conjunctivitis.
•  Mucoid discharge is typical of chronic allergic conjunctivitis and
dry eye.
•  Mucopurulent discharge typically occurs in chlamydial or acute
bacterial
• infection.
•  Moderately purulent discharge occurs in acute bacterial
conjunctivitis.
•  Severe purulent discharge is suggestive of gonococcal infection.
• 3) Conjunctival reaction
• o Hyperaemia that is diffuse, beefy-red and
more intense away from the limbus is
• usual in bacterial infection. This ‘conjunctival
injection’ should be distinguished
• from the ciliary injection of iridocyclitis.
• Conjunctivitis has the following signs and symptoms:
• Pink eye – the sclera may appear red to pink in color
• Chemosis – swelling of the conjunctiva
• Increased tear production
• The feeling of a foreign body stuck in the eye, which may be accompanied
by an urge to rub the affected eye
• Itching, irritation, and burning sensation in the affected eye
• Eye discharge – may differ depending on the organism causing the
conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis produces thick discharge, while bacterial
conjunctivitis has more of a watery discharge.
• Crusting of the eyelids or lashes – most noted in the morning
• In people wearing contact lenses, the feeling of the lens not staying in
place may be experienced.
• Intervention
• Rationale
• Assess the vision ability of the patient using an eye chart, and I.V. fluorescein angiography.
• To establish a baseline assessment of conjunctivitis in terms of vision capacity.
• Encourage the patient to have follow up checkups with an ophthalmologist if there are any worsening of visual disturbances.
• To monitor worsening of vision loss and treat accordingly. Keratitis, or the inflammation of the cornea, can occur because of conjunctivitis.
• Encourage the patient to promote sufficient lighting at home.
• The patient may not be able to perform activities of daily living as normal if he/she cannot see properly. Sufficient lighting also reduces
the risk for injury.
• Administer medications as prescribed.
• Artificial tears can be used to alleviate discomfort and avoid dryness in the affected eye.
• Encourage proper eye hygiene by cleaning the eyelids with wet cloth, throwing away eye makeup and washing pillow / pillowcases that
were used recently prior to having conjunctivitis. Apply warm or cold compress on the eyes. Avoid sharing of washcloths and towels.
• Cleaning of the eyelids with wet cloth will keep the surrounding of the eyes clean and it can also promote comfort. The use of cold or
warm compress can help in alleviating the discomfort caused by conjunctivitis. Eye makeups are also advised to be replaced in case the
infection is suspected from its use. Changing the pillow and pillowcases will avoid infecting the other eye.
• Encourage the patient to avoid the use of contact lenses. In people wearing hard lenses, it is recommended to disinfect the lenses before
use.
• To prevent further infection and eye irritation.
• Encourage the patient to add foods containing vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper in his/her diet in accordance to daily
recommended intake.
• Foods containing vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper can help promote better eyesight.
• Nursing Diagnosis: Disturbed Sensory
Perception (Visual) related to eye
inflammation related to conjunctivitis as
evidenced by verbal complaint of difficulty of
seeing properly, pink eye, itching, irritation,
and burning sensation in the affected eye
• Desired Outcome: The patient will regain
optimal vision.
• Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Injury related
visual problems related to viral conjunctivitis
• Desired Outcome: The patient will be able to
prevent trauma or injury by means doing
activities that can be done within the
parameters of visual limitation and by
modifying environment to adapt to current
vision capacity
• Intervention
• Rationale
• Assess the patient’s degree of visual impairment.
• To establish a baseline of visual acuity and gain useful information before modifying the
patient’s environment.  
• For severe conjunctivitis with effect on vision, place the bed in the lowest position. Place
the call bell within reach (if there’s any). Keep the visual aides and patient’s phone and
other devices within reach.
• To prevent or minimize injury of the patient.
• Promote adequate lighting in the patient’s room.
• To promote safety measures and support to the patient in doing ADLs optimally.
• Ensure that the floor is free of objects that can cause the patient to slip or fall.
• To promote safety measures and support to the patient in doing ADLs optimally.
• Advise the patient to wear sunglasses especially when going outdoors.
• To reduce glare and help protect the eyes.
• Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Infection (Cross-
contamination)
• Desired Outcome: The patient will be able to
avoid the cross-contamination of bacterial
conjunctivitis.
• Interventions
• Rationales
• Assess visual acuity and monitor the signs of eye infection.
• To establish patient’s baseline and monitor for any worsening of visual acuity or signs
of eye infection.
• Advise the patient to perform regular hand hygiene, avoid touching the affected eye,
and limit close physical contact with others.
• To reduce the risk of infecting other people at home or in the community.
• Encourage proper eye hygiene by cleaning the eyelids with wet cloth, throwing away
eye makeup and washing pillow / pillowcases that were used recently prior to having
conjunctivitis. Avoid sharing of washcloths and towels.
• To reduce the risk of infecting other people at home or in the community.
• Teach the patient to self-administer eye drops on the affected eye while avoiding the
medication’s tip from touching any part of the eye.
• To avoid contaminating the eye drop container.
• Other possible nursing diagnoses:
• Deficient Knowledge
• Alteration in Comfort
•