The 2023 outbreak of viral conjunctivitis: Clinical features and treatment patterns from five states in India

Abstract

Background: In July 2023, an outbreak of viral conjunctivitis swept across India. A knowledge of clinical features and outcome of treatment helps in the management of future outbreaks. Aim: The aim of this study was to report the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome in patients affected during the outbreak of viral conjunctivitis. Setting and Design: This was a multicentric retrospective case series. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of all consecutive patients diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis between July 1, 2023, and August 10, 2023, in five centers across India. Results: Of the 793 patients, 525 (66.2%) were male and 268 (33.8%) were female, with a mean age of 34.1 ± 19.0 years. The mean symptom duration was 2.6 ± 2.1 days with bilateral disease in 591 (74.5%) patients. The common ocular signs were conjunctival congestion (793, 100%), lid edema (479, 60.4%), follicles (607, 76.5%), and conjunctival hemorrhages (339, 42.7%). Artificial tears were used in 730 (92.1%) patients, antibiotic eye drops in 661 (83.4%) patients, and steroid eye drops in 428 (54.0%). The time to resolution was the least in patients who had been treated with only artificial tears (4.61 ± 2.24 days) and was maximum in patients who had been treated with topical steroids (6.5 ± 2.51 days), and the difference was significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The presence of conjunctival hemorrhages indicated acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Although many patients were treated with topical antibiotics, it was unnecessary, as the shortest resolution time was found in patients who had been received supportive therapy with artificial tear eye drops and not topical antibiotics or steroids.