[Acute bacterial conjunctivitis]. / Akutt bakteriell konjunktivitt.

ABSTRACT

Acute infectious conjunctivitis is the eye disease most commonly seen by general practitioners, and is estimated to represent 2-3% of their total number of consultations. The present paper gives a review of the epidemiology, etiology, clinical picture, complications, differential diagnoses and therapy of acute bacterial conjunctivitis. The condition has an excellent prognosis with a high frequency of spontaneous remission. However, topical antibacterial therapy should always be instituted, because this will shorten the course of the disease and reduce the risk of epidemic outbreaks, particularly in institutions for children.