What should you know about purulent conjunctivitis?

The discharge may collect on the eyelids or lashes and can make the eyes look red, gritty, or stuck together after sleep. Conjunctivitis can have different causes, so the appearance of discharge alone does not identify whether an infection is bacterial, viral, or related to irritation. Eye discharge is a useful symptom to describe, including its colour, thickness, timing, and whether one or both eyes are affected.

A clinician may also ask about light sensitivity, blurred vision, contact lens use, recent illness, and exposure to someone with red eye. These details help separate routine conjunctivitis from problems involving deeper parts of the eye.

Wash your hands before and after touching the eye. Gently soften crusts with clean, lukewarm water and a fresh pad or clean cloth; use a separate part for each eye. Do not share towels, pillows, cosmetics, or eye drops, and avoid rubbing your eyes. Pause contact lens wear until a clinician says it is safe and replace disposable lenses or eye products that may be contaminated.

Arrange a GP consultation if the discharge is thick, keeps returning, or is not settling. Antibiotic treatment may be considered when a bacterial cause is suspected, but antibiotics do not treat every type of conjunctivitis.

Seek prompt medical advice for eye pain, marked light sensitivity, reduced or blurred vision, swelling around the eye, injury, or symptoms in a contact lens wearer. Urgent assessment is also appropriate if redness is severe, symptoms worsen quickly, or the eye cannot be opened comfortably. These features can signal a condition needing more than routine conjunctivitis care.

Ask what cause is most consistent with the pattern of discharge, whether an eye examination or swab is needed, how long to avoid lenses, and which warning signs should prompt urgent review.