Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) A Highly Contagious Viral Eye Infection Print By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Updated December 06, 2018 Hitoshi Nishimura/Getty Images More in Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Glaucoma Cataracts Macular Degeneration Vision Loss Dry Eye Syndrome Contact Lenses Glasses Exams & Procedures Vision Improvement Surgery Eye Anatomy Kid's Eye Health View All Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a contagious eye infection, often referred to as viral conjunctivitis. EKC is an inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. (In pink eye or conjunctivitis, only the conjunctiva is inflamed.) It is highly contagious and can last as long as a month. EKC occurs mostly in places of close human contact, such as schools, hospitals, and office environments. Symptoms People with EKC usually complain of a sudden onset of the following symptoms: eye redness and irritationeye sorenesslight sensitivityexcessive tearing Some people with the infection say that it feels like a piece of sand or foreign body is in their eyes. Both the eye and eyelid can become swollen, red and irritated. The viral infection usually involves one eye first, then eventually infects the other eye. People with EKC may have significantly blurred vision for several days. Symptoms usually last for about two weeks. Cause of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis EKC is caused by a virus called adenovirus. Adenovirus also causes similar conditions such as pharyngoconjunctival fever. The virus can be spread by the following: direct contact with tears or other fluids from infected eyescontact with improperly disinfected diagnostic instrumentsswimming poolsair droplets Diagnostic Methods Doctors diagnose EKC by listening closely to a patient’s complaints and eye health history. Presence of subepithelial infiltrates. A subepithelial infiltrate can appear as a whitish area on the cornea that can temporally reduce vision.Swollen lymph nodes in front of the ears.Development of a pseudomembrane. A pseudomembrane can develop on the tissue under the lower eyelid on the conjunctiva.RPS Adeno Detector test. This diagnostic test can deliver accurate diagnostic results in 10 minutes. Treatment of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis Since antibiotic medicines are not effective in treating EKC, treatment focuses on alleviating unwanted symptoms: Cold compressesArtificial tearsVasoconstrictor eye dropsSteroid eye dropsBetadine,(povidone-iodine) application to decrease the amount of virus present A Word From Verywell Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a highly contagious infection of the front part of the eye. The miserable infection can be easily spread by coming into contact with the tears or discharge from the eyes of an infected person. A person could catch the infection by touching contaminated surfaces or object and then touching their own eyes. Symptoms can be quite bothersome, including redness, itching, irritation and tearing but usually resolve in about two weeks. If you develop EKC, it is important to practice good hygiene (frequent hand washing) to avoid spreading the infection to other people. Symptoms People with EKC usually complain of a sudden onset of the following symptoms: eye redness and irritation eye soreness light sensitivity excessive tearing Some people with the infection say that it feels like a piece of sand or foreign body is in their eyes. Both the eye and eyelid can become swollen, red and irritated. The viral infection usually involves one eye first, then eventually infects the other eye. People with EKC may have significantly blurred vision for several days. Symptoms usually last for about two weeks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you reach your 2018 goals. Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources EyeWiki, "Epidemic Keratoconunctivitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 27 April 2016. Continue Reading