Acute conjunctivitis

Symptoms of acute conjunctivitis include an irritated red eye with a watery or purulent discharge.

There are a range of causes of acute conjunctivitis, including allergy, bacterial or viral infection, mechanical stress, and irritation by toxic chemicals or medication.

Allergic conjunctivitis is usually bilateral with watery discharge and itching.

Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis includes topical mast cell stabilizers and antihistamines; bacterial conjunctivitis treatment includes topical antibiotics; viral conjunctivitis requires symptomatic treatment.

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious; measures to prevent spread of infection should be considered.

Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the lining of the eyelids and eyeball caused by bacteria, viruses, allergic or immunologic reactions, mechanical irritation, or medications.[1]American Academy of Ophthalmology. Conjunctivitis preferred practice pattern. Ophthalmology. 2019 Jan;126(1):P94-169. https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(18)32646-0/fulltext http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30366797?tool=bestpractice.com [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Viral conjunctivitisFrom the collection of Robert Sambursky, MD; used with permission [Citation ends].