SOAP NOTE: Acute Conjunctivitis

“My right eye has been red, watery, and itchy for the last two days.”

Sarah Thompson is a 22-year-old woman who presents to the clinic with complaints of acute onset right eye redness, excessive tearing, and itching that started approximately two days ago. She describes the irritation as constant, with a gritty sensation and mild discharge, especially in the morning. There is no associated pain or changes in vision. She denies trauma, foreign body, or contact lens use. No similar symptoms in the left eye. She works as a barista, and reports increased exposure to dust and coffee steam. She has no recent illness, but she noted some co-workers had “colds” recently. No photophobia or systemic symptoms. No history of similar episodes in the past.

Multivitamin, daily – general wellness

Ibuprofen 200 mg PRN – occasional headaches

Allergies:

No known drug allergies (NKDA)

Medication Intolerances:

None reported

Chronic Illnesses/Major traumas

None

Hospitalizations/Surgeries

Tonsillectomy at age 8

Has never been diagnosed with Diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, asthma, lung disease, heart disease, cancer, TB, thyroid or kidney disease, or any psychiatric disorder.

Mother – Seasonal allergies

Father – Hypertension

No family history of eye diseases, diabetes, cancer, TB, or kidney disease.

Single, lives alone in a shared apartment. Currently employed as a barista. Non-smoker, drinks alcohol occasionally (1-2 drinks per week), no drug use. No recent travel. Feels safe at home and work.

No fever, chills, fatigue, or weight changes

No chest pain, palpitations, or edema

No rashes or lesions

No cough, wheezing, or dyspnea

Right eye redness, tearing, itching, mild discharge, no vision loss or photophobia

No nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

No pain or discharge

No complaints, regular cycles, no STIs

No nasal discharge, sore throat, or congestion

No joint pain or swelling

No lumps or concerns

No headaches, dizziness, or weakness

No swollen glands, no heat or cold intolerance

No depression, anxiety, or sleep disturbances

Healthy young adult female, alert and oriented, appears mildly uncomfortable due to eye symptoms.

Skin is warm, dry, and intact. No lesions or rashes were noted.

The head is normocephalic and atraumatic. The right eye shows conjunctival injection, clear watery discharge, and mild eyelid edema, but pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation (PERRLA), with extraocular movements intact (EOMI). There is no photophobia, corneal clouding, or presence of a foreign body. The left eye appears normal. Ears, nose, and throat are unremarkable, with no erythema, drainage, or lymphadenopathy. The neck is supple, without cervical adenopathy or thyromegaly.

S1, S2 regular, no murmurs, rubs, or gallops.

Clear to auscultation bilaterally.

Abdomen soft, nontender, normoactive bowel sounds.

Free of masses, no other concerns reported.

The bladder is non-distended; no CVA tenderness. No other concerns were reported.

Normal ROM in extremities.

Alert, oriented x3, normal gait and coordination.

Appropriate mood and affect, cooperative.

None were ordered at this visit

Fluorescein Stain Test: Not performed. No signs of corneal abrasion or ulcer based on clinical evaluation.

Visual Acuity Test: Normal in both eyes (20/20), no reported vision changes.

Eversion of Eyelid: Not performed due to absence of foreign body sensation or trauma.

Photophobia Test: Negative. No discomfort upon light exposure.

Lymph Node Palpation: No preauricular or cervical lymphadenopathy was palpated.

o    1- Acute follicular conjunctivitis, right eye (ICD-10 Code: H10.021) – This condition is typically viral and marked by the formation of follicles—small, round elevations—on the inner conjunctiva. It often causes redness, watery discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye (Hashmi et al., 2024). The patient’s clinical presentation aligns with this diagnosis, especially in the absence of thick discharge. However, no follicles were specifically noted during the examination, making this a potential but unconfirmed etiology.

o    2- Acute atopic conjunctivitis, right eye (ICD-10 Code: H10.121) – Allergic conjunctivitis associated with atopic conditions like eczema or asthma. It usually presents bilaterally with severe itching and tearing (Hashmi et al., 2024). In this case, the unilateral involvement and absence of an allergy history make this diagnosis less likely, though the presence of itching keeps it on the differential list.

o    3 – Conjunctivitis due to adenovirus (ICD-10 Code: B30.1) – Adenoviral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and common in close-contact environments. Symptoms include redness, watery discharge, and a gritty sensation in the eye, typically beginning unilaterally (Muto et al., 2023). The patient’s workplace exposure to sick colleagues and the nature of her symptoms make this a strong possible cause, though not confirmed without diagnostic testing.

Diagnosis

o    Unspecified acute conjunctivitis, right eye (ICD-10 Code: H10.30)- This diagnosis is used when a patient presents with symptoms of acute conjunctival inflammation, such as redness, tearing, and irritation, without a confirmed underlying etiology (Hashmi et al., 2024). In this case, the symptoms strongly suggest a viral source due to the watery discharge and lack of purulence, combined with recent exposure to sick co-workers. However, without a lab confirmation, the unspecified code is appropriate for documentation and treatment planning.

§   Further testing

At this time, no laboratory tests or imaging are needed. The clinical presentation is straightforward and consistent with mild, likely viral conjunctivitis. However, the plan includes clear guidance that if the symptoms do not resolve within 5–7 days or begin to worsen (e.g., severe pain, visual changes, or thick purulent discharge), additional testing such as a conjunctival swab, culture, or referral to an ophthalmologist may be considered. This ensures patient safety through appropriate monitoring.

§   Medication

Artificial tears are recommended to soothe eye irritation and flush out any potential viral particles or allergens. These can be used every four hours as needed. Ketotifen eye drops help relieve itchiness, so over-the-counter use of this drug is recommended if the itching becomes more bothersome (Rwizi et al., 2024). There was no use of antibiotics since the symptoms told us it was not due to bacteria.

§   Education

Teaching patients is very important when managing conjunctivitis. The patient was advised to practice eye hygiene by washing their hands, not touching their eyes and taking off their contact lenses as long as they had symptoms. She was told to avoid using towels, washcloths or makeup from others to make sure she does not infect the people around her. Framing the illness to last from 7 to 10 days helps patients understand the usual course of recovery.

§   Non-medication treatments

Using a cool compress on the irritated eye can help reduce both the pain and swelling. Recovery is best supported by getting plenty of rest, and touching or rubbing the eye should be avoided.

The patient was assessed with a focused history and physical examination. The signs were indicative of viral conjunctivitis, and bacterial and allergic causes were ruled out. There were no prodromal signs like alteration of vision or photophobia. She was educated on hygiene, symptom management, and transmission prevention. Wet compresses and artificial tears were recommended. The patient acknowledged the plan of care asked questions, and the visit was concordant with best practice for management of acute viral conjunctivitis.