Acute infective conjunctivitis: evidence review and management advice for New Zealand practitioners.

ABSTRACT

In this review we present and discuss recent data and provide recommendations for New Zealand practitioners regarding the diagnosis and management of acute infective conjunctivitis. In particular, we discuss clinical predictors of bacterial versus viral conjunctivitis, a potential role for routine conjunctival culture, the benefits of topical antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections, delayed treatment algorithms, choice of topical antibiotic and the restriction of selected patients from work, school or early childhood care.