What should you know about monkeypox conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the surface of the eye and inner eyelid. It may cause redness, watering, eyelid swelling, crusting, or eye discharge. Monkeypox may also cause a rash or sores elsewhere, fever, swollen glands, and feeling unwell. Eye discharge alone does not identify the cause, and bacterial, viral, allergic, or irritant conjunctivitis can look similar.

Avoid touching or rubbing the eye, sharing towels, or wearing contact lenses while the eye is inflamed. Wash hands after touching your face and clean frequently handled surfaces.

Arrange a GP consultation if eye symptoms occur with a new rash, fever, or a known exposure. Keep the eye clean with gentle measures and avoid using leftover eye drops, especially steroid drops, unless prescribed. Antibiotics do not treat every cause of conjunctivitis; a clinician decides whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate after examining you.

Seek urgent care for eye pain, blurred or reduced vision, marked light sensitivity, severe swelling, inability to open the eye, or a rapidly worsening red eye. Urgent assessment is also needed if you are immunocompromised or have a painful rash near the eye. Do not wear contact lenses until a clinician says it is safe.

Could this be conjunctivitis linked to monkeypox or another cause? Do I need an eye examination? Which drops are safe? How can I protect people at home?