Conjunctivitis epidemiology and demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Conjunctivitis accounts for 1% of all primary care visits and emergency room visits. Viral conjunctivitis is the most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis both overall and in the adult population, and is more prevalent in summer. Bacterial conjunctivitis is the second most common cause.[1]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Prevalence
The prevalence of conjunctivitis varies according to the underlying cause, which may be influenced by the patient’s age, as well as the season of the year. Viruses cause up to 80% of all cases of acute conjunctivitis, and Between 65% and 90% of cases of viral conjunctivitis are caused by adenoviruses. Herpes simplex virus comprises 1.3% to 4.8% of all cases of acute conjunctivitis.
Prevalence of neonatal conjunctivitis has decreased significantly in developed countries since the abandonment of silver nitrate as topical prophylaxis.[2][3]
Allergic conjunctivitis alone has been estimated in 6-30% of the general population and in up to 30% in children alone or in association with allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the most frequent form; however, studies from tertiary, ophthalmology referral centers report that the chronic forms, such as vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis, are the most frequently seen by ophthalmologists.[4]
Dry eye syndromeis very common. Prevalence estimates range from approximately 10%-30% of the population.
The prevalence keratoconjunctivitis ranges from 12 to 106 cases per 100,000 population.
Incidence
The incidence of bacterial conjunctivitis was estimated to be 135 in 10,000 population/ year.
The incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis ranges from 1-2%.
The incidence of conjunctivitis is higher in children <1 year old (8000 cases per 100,000 patient-years) than in children >4 years of age (1200 cases per 100,000 patient-years)
Age
While viral conjunctivitis is more common in adults, bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children.
Dry eye syndrome affecting a significant percentage of the population, especially those older than 40 years.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an allergic eye disease that especially affects young boys.[5]
Gender
Infective Conjunctivitis occurs equally in males and females.
Dry eye syndrome is more common in women, An estimated 3.23 million women and 1.68 million men aged 50 years and older are affected.
Race
The frequency and the clinical diagnosis of dry eye appear to be greater in the Hispanic and Asian populations than in whites.
Developed Countries
Prevalence of neonatal conjunctivitis has decreased significantly in developed countries since the abandonment of silver nitrate as topical prophylaxis. Current estimates of prevalence of neonatal conjunctivitis in developed countries are < 0.5%.
Developing Countries
The incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis is still high in certain regions of the world, particularly in developing countries. A recent study found an estimated prevalence of 17% among nearly 1000 newborn infants in Pakistan, and Incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis remains high in Africa.
References
- ↑ Hørven I (1993). "Acute conjunctivitis. A comparison of fusidic acid viscous eye drops and chloramphenicol". Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 71 (2): 165–8. PMID 8333258.
- ↑ Laga M, Plummer FA, Nzanze H, Namaara W, Brunham RC, Ndinya-Achola JO; et al. (1986). "Epidemiology of ophthalmia neonatorum in Kenya". Lancet. 2 (8516): 1145–9. PMID 2877285.
- ↑ Azari AA, Barney NP (2013). "Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment". JAMA. 310 (16): 1721–9. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.280318. PMC 4049531. PMID 24150468.
- ↑ Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio AL, Lazzarini D (2015). "Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study". Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 15 (5): 482–8. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000204. PMID 26258920.
- ↑ Bonini S, Coassin M, Aronni S, Lambiase A (2004). "Vernal keratoconjunctivitis". Eye (Lond). 18 (4): 345–51. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6700675. PMID 15069427.