conjunctivitis

• Allergic conjunctivitis


  • Usually bilateral (affects both eyes), irritation, discomfort, water discharge
• Types of infective conjunctivitis

  • Bacterial - sticky, purulent discharge
  • Viral - watery discharge
  • Both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can be unilateral or bilateral (affecting one or both eyes)
  • if one eye is affetced- rule out the presence of a foreign body
• Symptoms requiring referral

  • Painful red eye
  • Redness extends into the iris
  • Photophobia (suspect - scratch on cornea)
  • Vision is affected (loss/blurred vision)
  • Patient is using other eye drops/ ointments
  • Suspected foreign body in the eye (dust/ eye lashes - use eye bath/wash to irrigate)
  • Irregular pupil
  • Eye/ Head injury/Trauma
  • Eye looks cloudy
  • Symptoms last longer than 2 weeks
  • Pregnant/ Breast feeding
• Chloramphenicol


  First line treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis 5 day course
• Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops

  1. Use one drop every 2 hours for first 48hrs then one drop 4 hourly for remaining 3 days

  2. Store in the fridge (2-8 degrees)

  3. OTC licence age 2 and over

  4. Risk of grey baby syndrome (aplastic anaemia) in new born infants
• Chloramphenicol eye ointment

  • Apply three to four times daily
  • Store at room temperature
• Propamidine isetionate ( brolene eye drops & golden eye drops (same)

  • Treat minor eye conditions including bacterial conjunctivitis & blepharitis
  • Apply four times daily
  • No age restriction and can be stored at room temperature
• Sodium cromoglycate 2%- optrex allergy eye drops

  • Mast cell stabiliser (requires regular use)
  • Treats Allergic conjunctivitis (Hayfever symptoms)
  • Can be used safely with oral antihistamine treatment
  • Licensed for 6 years and above
• Contact lenses should not be worn until 24 hours after the infection has cleared
• Treatment courses are generally 5 days (eye drop preparations expire 28 days after opening)