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 management of corneal infectious disease including:
  • Viral infections
    • Herpes viruses
    • 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.