Table 2.

Clinical features of conjunctivitis, by cause

Cause of conjunctivitis	Unilateral (U) or bilateral (B)	Discharge	Redness	Other symptoms or signs	Treatment
Viral, epidemic form	B	Watery	+++, +/− conj. haemorrhage	Fever, sore throat	Tetracycline eye ointment; povidone iodine eye drops
Viral – herpes	U	Watery	+/−	Vesicles on the eyelid	Topical antiviral
Viral – molluscum	U	Watery	+/−	Molluscum on lid	Remove molluscum
Bacterial – non-gonococcal	U or B	Purulent ++	+++	None	Tetracycline eye ointment or other antibiotic
Bacterial – gonococcal	B	Purulent +++++	++++	Marked lid swelling. May have corneal ulcer	Frequent antibiotic REFER
Chlamydia – babies	B	Purulent ++	++	Lid swelling	Tetracycline eye ointment
Chlamydia – trachoma	B	Purulent +	+	Signs on everted upper lid	Tetracycline eye ointment, or azithromyin
Chlamydia – adults	U or B	Purulent +	+	None	Tetracycline eye ointment
Allergy – acute	B	Watery ++++	Minimal	Marked swelling of lids and conjunctiva	None – reassure
Allergy – chronic	B	Thick and stringy	+	Signs on everted upper lid. Discoloration of eye	Tetracycline eye ointment to eye lids – REFER
Chemical	U or B	Watery/purulent	Varies	May be lid reactions	Tetracycline eye ointment