Community Health Network

• Yellow or green discharge (pus) in one or both eyes
• Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes. The eyelashes are especially likely to be matted together following sleep
• May involve one or both eyes

General Information

• Conjunctivitis is a medical term that means there is irritation or infection involving the white parts of the outer eye and the area under the eyelids.
• Caution: Individuals with blurred vision or significant eye pain need to be seen by a physician urgently, as significant eye pain and blurred vision do not generally occur in people with conjunctivitis.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (typically, thick white-yellow or green discharge) requires prescription antibiotic eye drops.
• Viral conjunctivitis (thin, clear-white discharge) is often difficult to distinguish from bacterial conjunctivitis, thus antibiotic eye drops are often prescribed.
• Allergic conjunctivitis (itching, clear-white discharge)
• Chemical conjunctivitis from exposure to chemicals, fumes (eye irritation, tearing)

• Mild discomfort, burning or irritation of the eye(s)
• White portions of the eye(s) may or may not be pink or red
• Eyelids may be puffy due to irritation
• Tearing