EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/115557
March 2013 If the test is negative for adenovirus, I then need to make the decision between an allergy and bacterial infection. One of the things I question the patient about to differentiate between an allergy and bacterial infection is the description of his or her discharge from the eye early in the morning. Typically, the patient will have a greenish crusting and the eyelids are stuck together if it's a bacterial infection, and the discharge is more whitish or ropey if the patient has an allergic infection. Patients have responded very well to the Red Eye Protocol for conjunctivitis because it includes a test that allows them to see the results immediately, whereas before, I was only able to provide them with a discussion. Now, I can give them evidence that the results are positive or negative. From efficiency and patient management standpoints, there are several tangible benefits to using AdenoPlus. Administering the test is fairly easy and can be done in just four simple steps. The results are on the econometric scale just as a pregnancy test is, which makes it easy to interpret and equally easy to show the results to the patient. The test provides quick results. It takes less than two minutes to complete the test, and results are visible within 10 minutes, allowing the patient to receive an accurate result before leaving the office. Furthermore, it is important to note that the test confirms or rules out one of the most frustrating causes of red eye, adenovirus, and the one that has the most socioeconomic impact on patients and the community. Patients don't receive inaccurate recommendations on whether they can return to work, and they may avoid paying for unnecessary treatments such as antibiotics. Finally, the AdenoPlus test is reimbursable, making it a cost-effective solution to a potentially costly problem. A well-rounded protocol is an important step forward in advancing the standard of care for managing acute red eye. Red eye patients walking into my practice can expect thorough, best-in-class diagnosis and treatment administered by a staff and clinician prepared to effectively combat a highly infectious and often misdiagnosed disease. Ultimately, the Red Eye Protocol for conjunctivitis is very helpful for comprehensive ophthalmologists and even ophthalmic emergency rooms. EW References 1. O'Brien TP, Jeng BH, McDonald M, et al. Acute conjunctivitis: truth and misconceptions. Curr Med Res Opin. 2009;25(8):1953-1961. 2. Leibowitz HM, Pratt MV, Flagstad IJ, et al. Human conjunctivitis. Arch Ophthalmol. EW CORNEA 119 1976;94:1747-1749. 3. Stenson S, Newman R, Fedukowicz H. Laboratory studies in acute conjunctivitis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1982;100:1275-1277. continued on page 121