AdenoPlus testing now offers our patients an efficient and effective method
to diagnose the cause most types of "pink eye".
The test takes less than two minutes to complete and provides a definite
result in just ten minutes. An accurate diagnosis enables Dr Lefland to make
better therapeutic decisions based on diagnostic evidence and allows
patients to leave our office better informed and better prepared, knowing if
their red eye is a viral or bacterial conjunctivitis and whether they can
return to work.
It has been estimated that at least 6 million cases of acute conjunctivitis
are diagnosed in the US each year and studies indicate that eye care
professionals make an accurate clinical diagnosis approximately 50% of the
time. This is because viral, bacterial, and allergic conjunctivitis - the
most common types - appear very similar visually, making differential
diagnosis using only signs and symptoms challenging.
Misdiagnosis represents a major problem, as adenovirus is highly contagious
and is associated with decreased visual acuity, light sensitivity, excessive
tear production and vision loss. The majority of conjunctivitis cases result
in a prescription for antibiotics, even in viral cases when antibiotics are
not necessary. Inappropriate antibiotic use may increase adverse effects,
promote resistance and add avoidable costs to the healthcare system.