PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS CONJUNCTIVITIS

It is a type of acute conjunctivitis, characterised by
formation of a pseudomembrane (which can be easily
peeled off leaving behind intact conjunctival
epithelium) on the conjunctiva.

Etiology
It may be caused by following varied factors:
1. Bacterial infection. Common causative organisms
are Corynebacterium diphtheriae of low virulence,
staphylococci, streptococci, H. influenzae and N.
gonorrhoea.
2. Viral infections such as
  herpes simplex and
adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis may also
be sometimes associated with pseudomembrane
formation.
3. Chemical irritants such as acids, ammonia, lime,
silver nitrate and copper sulfate are also known
to cause formation of such membrane.

Pathology
The above agents produce inflammation of conjunctiva
associated with pouring of fibrinous exudate
on its surface which coagulates and leads to formation
of a pseudomembrane.

Clinical picture
Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis is characterized
by:

• Acute mucopurulent conjunctivitis, like features associated with.
• Pseudomembrane formation which is thin yellowish-white membrane seen in the fornices and on the palpebral conjunctiva (Fig. 1).
  Pseudomembrane can be peeled off easily and does not bleed.

Treatment
It is similar to that of mucopurulent conjunctivitis.