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Referral criteria from primary care - conjunctivitis

Authoring team

The majority of cases of conjunctivitis do not require investigation or referral. The following cases should be referred to an ophthalmologist:

  • neonatal conjunctivitis
  • chronic conjunctivitis
  • if the conjunctivitis does not respond to the initial treatment (if there is no improvement in 7 to 10 days) (1)
  • if there are corneal changes associated with the conjunctivitis
  • conjunctivitis with blurring of vision or pain as opposed to discomfort, and
  • sicca (i.e. dry eye syndromes)

If the conjunctivitis is a case of sexually-associated infection then it is essential to refer the patient and contacts to the genitourinary medicine department.

References:

  1. Leibowitz HM. The Red eye. NEJM 2000; 343:345.
  2. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Conjunctivitis preferred practice pattern. Nov 2018 [internet publication]

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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