Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)

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Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)
It is a serious and contagious eye infection
caused by mainly adenovirus type 8, 19 and
37. Symptoms include inflammation in the
conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) and the cornea
(keratitis), severe pain, edema and diminished
eyesight, tearing, sensitivity to light. Due
to the symptoms, the patients are unable to
attend work or school, why many working
hours are lost every year as a consequence of
the disease.
Definition
It is a type of acute follicular conjunctivitis
mostly associated with superficial punctate
keratitis and usually occurs in epidemics,
hence the name EKC.
Etiology
EKC is mostly caused by adenoviruses type 8
, 19 and 37. The condition is markedly spread
by contaminated fingers and tonometers.
Clinical picture
Incubation period after infection is about
8 days ; virus is shed from the inflamed eye
for 2-3weeks.
Signs
• Conjunctival hypermia / Erythema
(Redness) of bulbar and palpebral
conjunctiva.
• Chemosis (Conjunctival edema)
• Epiphora (Excessive tearing)
• Follicular reaction
• Epithelial keratitis
Systemic symptoms / Signs
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes,
specifically the pre auricular lymph
nodes)
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
Clinical stages
• The condition mainly affects young
adults. Clinical picture can be divided
into three stages for the purpose of
description.
Symptoms
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Itchiness
Irritation
Photophopia
Foreign body sensation
Blurred vision
Clear or yellow discharge from the eye
Conjunctival hypermia / Erythema - redness; Chemosis - conjunctival edema; Epiphora - excessive tearing
A R A V I N D
E Y E
C A R E
S Y S T E M
Clinical
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• The first phase is acute serous
conjunctivitis which is characterised by
non specific conjunctivitis, hyperaemia,
mild chemosis and lacrimation.
• Soon it is followed by second phase of
typical acute follicular conjunctivitis,
characterised by formation of follicles
which are more marked in lower lid.
Treatment
• In severe cases, third phase of acute
pseudomembranous conjunctivitis
is recognised due to formation of a
pseudomembrane on the conjunctival
surface.
• Corneal involvement in the form of
superficial punctate keratitis, which is
a distinctive feature of EKC, becomes
evident after 1 week of the onset of
disease.
Prevention
• It is usually supportive. Anti viral drugs
are ineffective. Recently, promising results
are reported with adenine arabinoside.
Corticosteroids should not be used during
active stage.
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Hand wash
Be hygienic Avoid going to crowded places
Avoid eye rubbing
Use sterile cotton to wipe the eye
- Dr. Anjali Khadia
Medical Consultant - Paediatric
Aravind Eye Hospital - Pondicherry
Sr. T.Mohana Priya, DOT
& Sr.T. Hemalatha, DOT
Aravind Eye Hospital - Pondicherry
Lymphadenopathy - swollen lymph nodes, specifically the preauricular lymph nodes
Compassion Apr - June, 2016