Bacterial conjunctivitis

• Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops (first line), Gentamicin 0.3% eye drops (first line, alternative), Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops (severe, contact-lens wearer, or no better), Tobramycin 0.3% eye ointment

• Refer the same day: Copious pus (gonococcal), reduced vision, severe pain, photophobia or contact-lens wearer; swab for Gram stain and culture (AAO PPP 2024; NCDC-ICMR 2025)

First visit

• No routine tests — Clinical diagnosis; check visual acuity.

Only if indicated

• Conjunctival swab for Gram stain and culture — Copious pus, newborn, contact-lens wearer, or not settling in a week.
• Fluorescein staining — Pain or reduced vision (corneal involvement).