H10.0
DESCRIPTION
An inflammatory purulent condition of the conjunctivae caused by bacterial infection and characterised by:
- sore, gritty or scratchy eyes and swollen lids
- mucopurulent discharge from one or both eyes
- redness especially of conjunctival angles (fornices)
GENERAL MEASURES
- Educate patient on personal hygiene to avoid spread e.g. do not use the same face-cloth or towels as others.
- Do not use contaminated cosmetics.
- Practise good contact lens hygiene.
- Avoid chronic use topical medications.
- Educate patient on correct application of ophthalmic ointment.
- Advise patient:
- to wash hands thoroughly before and after applying ophthalmic ointment
- not to share ophthalmic ointments or drops
- not to rub eyes
- never to use urine or milk to wash the eyes
MEDICINE TREATMENT
- Chloramphenicol 1%, ophthalmic ointment, applied 6 hourly for 7 days.
Pain:
Children
- Paracetamol, oral, 10–15 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly when required. See Paediatric dosing tool.
Adults
- Paracetamol, oral, 1 g 4–6 hourly when required.
- Maximum dose: 15 mg/kg/dose.
- Maximum dose: 4 g in 24 hours.
REFERRAL
- No response after 5 days.
- All cases of unilateral conjunctivitis, as this may be caused by a foreign body.
- Loss of vision.
- Irregularity of pupil.
- Haziness of the cornea.
- Persistent painful eye.