Tearing, redness, swelling of the conjunctiva, and a clear discharge are characteristic. Light sensitivity can also be a prominent symptom. Sometimes a lymph node on the cheek in front of the ear swells in response to the virus. Fortunately, this blurriness resolves over a few days to weeks and rarely leaves permanent scars. Occasionally the lids become swollen and the patient experiences serious ocular pain, and very rarely there is bleeding into the lids.
Treatment is aimed at making the patient comfortable during the first few days.
If the blurred vision is significant, driving and work activities should be done only with great caution and care. Cortisone eye drops are sometimes of great assistance in controlling the symptoms of this infection. Since this disease is very contagious, prevention of spread is very important. Incubation period for viral conjunctivitis is only one or two days, making rapid spread very easy. In the office, hand washing is critical if we are to avoid spreading the germ to other patients.