Do Ophthalmologists in India Over Prescribing Topical Antibiotics in Acute Infectious Conjunctivitis?

Abstract

Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva is known as conjunctivitis. It is characterized by dilatation of conjunctival vessels, hyperemia and edema of the conjunctiva and typically associated with discharge [1]. Conjunctivitis affects many people and imposes economic burden. Approximately 6 million people were affected annually with acute conjunctivitis in the United States [2]. The cost of treating bacterial conjunctivitis alone was estimated to be $377 million to $857 million per year [3]. Irrespective of the cause of conjunctivitis, in many US state health departments, students are required to be treated with topical antibiotic eye drops before returning to school [4].