Emergency: requires immediate attention
Gonococcal conjunctivitis - External and Internal Eye
Alerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis

Gonococcal conjunctivitis, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, occurs in 2 distinct groups: neonates and sexually active individuals. Transmission usually occurs by contact with infected urine or genital secretions. The disease presents as a hyperacute follicular conjunctivitis with lid edema, chemosis, hyperemia, and copious mucopurulent discharge. In neonates, the infection usually begins 24-48 hours after birth but may take slightly longer. In adults, the incubation period is 2-7 days. In both, rapid diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoid severe complications such as corneal ulceration and perforation.
Codes
ICD10CM:
A54.31 – Gonococcal conjunctivitis
SNOMEDCT:
231858009 – Gonococcal conjunctivitis
A54.31 – Gonococcal conjunctivitis
SNOMEDCT:
231858009 – Gonococcal conjunctivitis
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, and viral conjunctivitis
- Dacryocystitis
- Bacterial endophthalmitis
- Orbital cellulitis
- Bacterial keratitis
- Trachoma
- Mpox
- Chemical conjunctivitis, herpes simplex virus conjunctivtis, and chlamydial conjunctivitis
- Rapid diagnosis and, hence, treatment is critical to avoid severe and possibly blinding complications.
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Reviewed:11/09/2021
Last Updated:09/06/2023
Last Updated:09/06/2023