Pink eye, medically known as conjunctivitis, is a common eye condition characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent layer that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids. This condition is called "pink eye" because it often causes the affected eye to appear pink or red due to increased blood flow and irritation.

Generally speaking, “pink eye” is cause either caused by a bacterial infection or a viral infection. The clinical signs and symptoms of bacterial and viral conjunctivitis often have a significant amount of overlap. This commonly leads to misdiagnosis in roughly 50% of cases, even when being examined by eye care professionals. While bacterial and viral conjunctivitis may have strikingly similar appearance to your eye doctor, the treatment that is prescribed is very different for the two conditions. Viral infections do not require antibiotics.

The prompt and accurate diagnosis of pink eye is important to getting the right treatment plan in place with the goal of getting you back to feeling and seeing your best as soon as possible.

A test to detect viral conjunctivitis:

We will now offer our patients at Helio Optometry who may have conjunctivitis the QuickVue Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Test. This is an in office test that can help us quickly and accurately diagnose viral conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus, one of the most common causes of viral conjunctivitis.

By using the QuickVue Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Test we can:

1. Identify patients who are contagious.

2. Reduce unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotic eye drops.

3. Reduce the frequency of allergic and toxic reactions to antibiotic eye drops.

4. Prevent antibiotic resistance.

5. Prescribe the most effective treatment and advice.

The QuickVue Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Test is a rapid in office test designed to assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing adenoviral conjunctivitis. The test is pain free, non-invasive and fast. It works similarly to an at home COVID test.

Here's how the QuickVue Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Test works:

1. Your optometrist will collect a sample from the eye by gently swabbing the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye.

2. The collected sample is then processed using the QuickVue Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Test kit.

3. The test kit provides results within a short timeframe, usually in less than 10 minutes.

The AdenoPlus test is known for its quick and accurate detection of adenoviral conjunctivitis, which can help your optometrist make informed treatment decisions. This is particularly valuable in cases where it's crucial to differentiate viral conjunctivitis from bacterial conjunctivitis because the treatments for these two types of pink eye differ.

By implementing this point-of-care test, we're not only streamlining the diagnosis process but also curbing the spread of infection, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, and helping to combat antibiotic resistance. It's a win-win for both patients and the broader healthcare system.