Ocular infectious disease

Objectives: Upon completion of this conference the resident/student should have an understanding of infectious disorders of the cornea and should be able to

  • Describe the defense mechanisms of the external eye
  • Describe the normal ocular flora
  • Discuss the basic concepts of infectious pathogenesis including virulence, inoculum and host defense
  • List the broad categories of corneal infectious agents
  • List and describe diagnostic laboratory techniques
  • Describe the epidemiology, signs, symptoms and managment of corneal infectious disease including
    • Viral infections
      • Herpesviruses
      • Adenoviruses
      • Pox viruses
      • Viruses associated with neoplastic disease
    • Microbial and Parasitic Infections of the Eyelid Margin including
      • Staphylococcal blepharitis
      • Fungal and parasitic infections
      • Bacterial conjunctivitis
      • Neonatal conjunctivitis
      • Chlamydia
      • Parinaud syndrome
    • Microbial and Parasitic Infections of the Cornea and Sclera including
      • Bacterial Keratitis
      • Atypical Mycobacteria
      • Fungi
      • Acanthomoeba
      • Stromal inflammation associated with systemic infection
      • Microsporidia
      • Loiasis
      • Infectious scleritis


Assignment: Please read Chapter 6 Infectious Diseases of the External Eye: Basic Concepts and Chapter 7 Infectious Disease of the External Eye: Clinical Aspects in the Cornea Section of the BCSC series.