Chlamydial conjunctivitis: presentation and investigations

Abstract

Chlamydial conjunctivitis results from infection by chlamydia parasite and typically affects sexually active teenagers and young adults. It is the most frequent infectious cause of neonatal conjunctivitis in the UK. It is also the most common curable sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Its clinical manifestations in the eye involve the conjunctiva and the cornea. Untreated disease leads to a chronic remittent course of infection, keratitis (infection to the cornea) and possibly iritis (infammation to the iris) and can lead to total loss of vision if left untreated. This article will focus on the main clinical manifestation of chlamydial conjunctivitis and its investigations. Furthermore, the article will focus on the early management and referral of those patients who present with chlamydial conjunctivitis. Early diagnosis and early management help to prevent ocular and sytemic complications.