A 30-year-old presents with recurrent bilateral redness localised mainly at the inner and outer canthi, with scanty whitish discharge and excoriated skin at both angles. The most likely causative organism is:

• A Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• B Chlamydia trachomatis
• C Staphylococcus epidermidis
• D Moraxella lacunata ✓

Explanation

Angular conjunctivitis is characteristically caused by Moraxella lacunata, a gram-negative diplobacillus that produces an exotoxin causing exfoliation of the canthal epithelium, giving the classic redness and macerated skin at the angles. Chlamydia produces follicular conjunctivitis with discharge rather than angular blepharoconjunctivitis. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal, and Pseudomonas causes severe suppurative infection, typically after trauma or in contact lens wear.

Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.