Conjunctivitis primary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

All conjunctivitis subtypes are not preventable. Good hygiene and can help prevent the spread of infective conjunctivitis in all age groups. A few like allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome), and superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis are not preventable primarily. Early determination of these conditions is very important in terms of morbidity/mortality and cost of the treatment.

Primary Prevention

Infective Conjunctivitis

Effective measures for the primary prevention of infective conjunctivitis include:

• Change pillowcases frequently.
• Change towels and wash cloths daily.
• Do not share personal articles that come in contact with the eyes (e.g. eye make-up applicators, towels, wash cloths, eye droppers)
• Handle and clean contact lenses properly.
• Keep hands away from the eye.
• Replace eye cosmetics regularly.
• Wash your hands often.
• Always wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer prior to and following contact with a person who has conjunctivitis.
• Infected patients should be advised to stay home from school and work

Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Effective measures for the primary prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis include:

• Educate parents or care providers to wash their hands frequently
• Educate pregnant women on the importance of regular examinations to detect and treat sexually transmitted infections (STD)
• Avoid vaginal delivery (HSV Transmission rates are high for women who acquire genital herpes in the last few weeks of pregnancy)
• Avoid silver nitrate in a newborn's eyes

Allergic Conjunctivitis

There is no established method for primary prevention of allergic conjunctivitis.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

There is no established method for primary prevention keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome).

Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis

There is no established method for primary prevention of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.

References

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