What is the nature of conjunctivitis discharge?

From the Guidelines

Conjunctivitis discharge is typically characterized as a watery, mucoid, or purulent secretion from the eyes, with the nature of the discharge varying depending on the type of conjunctivitis, such as bacterial or viral, as noted in the most recent study 1. The discharge is the body's response to inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the eye's surface.

• Bacterial infections, such as gonococcal conjunctivitis, produce thicker, colored discharge, as described in 1.
• Viral infections typically cause more watery secretions. Regular cleaning helps prevent the buildup of discharge, which can cause eyelids to stick together, especially upon waking. Proper hygiene is crucial to prevent spreading the infection to others or to the unaffected eye, as emphasized in 1 and 1. For management, it is essential to:

1. Clean the discharge regularly with warm water and a clean cloth or cotton ball.
2. Use artificial tears to lubricate the eyes and flush out irritants.
3. Apply cold or warm compresses to soothe discomfort.
4. For bacterial conjunctivitis, use antibiotic eye drops like erythromycin or tobramycin, typically 1-2 drops in each affected eye, 4 times daily for 5-7 days, as suggested in 1.
5. For viral conjunctivitis, focus on symptom relief as it usually resolves on its own in 1-2 weeks.
6. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes to prevent spreading the infection.
7. Wash hands frequently and avoid sharing towels or washcloths. It is also important to note that patients with conjunctivitis who experience severe, purulent discharge, or other concerning symptoms, should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist, as recommended in 1 and 1.

From the Research

Nature of Conjunctivitis Discharge

The nature of conjunctivitis discharge varies depending on the cause of the infection.

• Viral and allergic conjunctivitis typically present with watery discharge 2.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by mucopurulent discharge, often with the eyelids matted shut 2, 3, 4.
• The presence of mucopurulent discharge is directly correlated with the presence of per-protocol pathogens in bacterial conjunctivitis 4.
• Purulent discharge is a common symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis, with various bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae being identified as causative agents 5.

Types of Discharge

The type of discharge associated with conjunctivitis can be:

• Watery: typically seen in viral and allergic conjunctivitis 2.
• Mucopurulent: characteristic of bacterial conjunctivitis, often with a thick, yellowish or greenish discharge 2, 3, 4.
• Purulent: a common symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis, indicating the presence of pus in the discharge 5.