Community Eye Health J 2005;18(53): 73-75

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