Conjunctivitis pathophysiology
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Pathophysiology
Conjunctivitis is spread from person-to-person by:
- Direct contact with the infected person’s eye drainage or drainage from the person’s cough, sneeze, or runny nose.
- Indirect contact with objects that may have the infected person’s drainage on them (e.g. eye makeup applicators, towels, shared eye medications).
- Contact with the infected person’s fingers or hands which may contain the virus or bacteria.
Newborns can be infected by bacteria in the birth canal. This condition is called ophthalmia neonatorum, and it must be treated immediately to preserve eyesight. Additionally, neonatal conjunctivitis is a red eye in a newborn caused by irritation, a blocked tear duct, or infection.
Microscopic Pathology