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Preferred practice patterns of ophthalmologists in management of viral conjunctivitis

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Original Article

Author Details : Tania Moudgil, Barinder Kaur*, Gaganpreet Singh

Volume : 5, Issue : 3, Year : 2019

Article Page : 390-394

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijceo.2019.094

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Abstract

Introduction: Different ophthalmologists follow different protocols for diagnosing and treating the viral conjunctivitis. We conducted this study to know the current trends of knowledge, attitude and practices in management of viral conjunctivitis.
Aims: 1: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of ophthalmologist in diagnosing viral conjunctivitis; 2: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of ophthalmologist in treatment of viral conjunctivitis.
Design: A Prospective descriptive cross sectional study based on questionnaire survey will be done amongst ophthalmologists of Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra.
Materials and Methods: A prevalidated questionnaire was distributed manually and by email to ophthalmologists in different parts of India. The questionnaire covered their knowledge about diagnosis and treatment of viral conjunctivitis. It also covered their preferred practice pattern for managing a case of viral conjunctivitis. The data was collected and analysed on SPSS 24 software. Thematic analysis of qualitative data obtained was done.
Results: 205 responses were received from ophthalmologists across various parts of India. The basis of diagnosis for a case of viral conjunctivitis was clinical by 88.5% of ophthalmologists. Signs looked by ophthalmologists were mainly congestion (80%), discharge (72.19%) and follicles (48.3%). 92% responded that no investigations are required for forming diagnosis. An overall criterion used by ophthalmologists was 85% clinical picture along with history, 12% use diagnosis of exclusion and 3% used certain investigations for diagnosis. Ophthalmologists use the treatment plan as lubricants (86.3%), Antibacterial (66.7%), steroids (35.3%), antiviral (15.7%), oral vitamin C (25.5%) and other (11.8%). For prevention of viral conjunctivitis precautions used for self were hand hygiene (washing hand [98%] and sanitizer like sterllium [25%]), use of gloves (2%), clean slit lamp, chair and other instruments: with sanitizer (82.1%).98% ophthalmologists responded that they educate the patients regarding precautions to be followed for treatment of viral conjunctivitis. Among precautions following themes emerged: dark goggles (29.2%) and hygiene (98.9%).
Conclusions: Viral conjunctivitis is diagnosed mainly on clinical picture. Treatment is mainly supportive consisting of lubricants, oral vitamin C and topical antibiotics. Topical steroids can be a useful in cases of keratitis and pseudomembrane associated with viral conjunctivitis. Topical antivirals are given only in cases of recurrent keratitis secondary to viral conjunctivitis.

Keywords: Antiviral agents, Conjunctivitis, Cross sectional studies, Ophthalmologists, Viral.

How to cite : Moudgil T , Kaur B , Singh G, Preferred practice patterns of ophthalmologists in management of viral conjunctivitis. Indian J Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019;5(3):390-394

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