The role of laboratory examination in red eye syndrome
Aim: To analyze etiological structure of inflammatory diseases of ocular surface. Materials and methods: The study included outpatients (n = 49) who referred to Ophthalmological office at the Herpetic center during the period 2012 to 2014. Complaints duration was 60.65 ± 12.28 days. All patients underwent routine ophthalmologic examination; tear and/or conjunctival scraping PCR for type 1 and 2 herpes simplex viruses., varicella-zoster virus., cytomegalovirus., Epstein-Barr virus., type 6 human herpesvirus., adenoviruses., enteroviruses., ureaplasma., chlamydia; conjunctival swab microbiology; eyelash microscopy for eyelash mites. Results: After the examination., all patients were divided into three groups: 1) with herpesvirus infections of the eye (n = 24)., 2) with non-herpetic infection of the eye (enterovirus., adenovirus., bacteria., fungi., n = 18)., 3) with ocular surface lesions due to non-infectious causes (n = 7). In three cases U. urealyticum was detected., doxycycline was administrated. Identification of pathogens in the groups 1 and 2 resulted in effective causal treatment with subsequent clinical recovery. Exclusion of infection in the third group allowed to avoid inappropriate antibacterial or antiviral therapy. Conclusion: In patients with chronic red eye syndrome of unknown etiology., laboratory examination of tear and/or conjunctival scraping is essential for differentiating between infectious and non-infectious disease.