Conjunctivitis (Infants, Children, Adolescents)

Patient Population:
Pediatric

See Ophthalmia Neonatorum section for special considerations in neonates.  

Condition Major Pathogens  First Choice Therapy Alternative Therapy Comments

Conjunctivitis 

This section does not address infectious keratitis associated with contact lens wear (patients with this condition should be managed in consultation with an optometrist or ophthalmologist) 

Often viral 

Streptococcus pneumoniae 

Haemophilus influenzae 

Moraxella catarrhalis 

Staphylococcus aureus 

Supportive care without topical antibiotic therapy is recommended unless bacterial etiology is suspected based on clinical features 

If suspected bacterial etiology

Trimethoprim-Polymyxin B (Polytrim) 0.1%-10,000 units/ml ophthalmic drops 1-2 drops 4 times daily  

Topical therapy is not necessary if patient is on concurrent systemic therapy with coverage against likely causative organisms 

Commonly caused by viruses, consider supportive treatment such as warm compresses or cold saline drops 

Duration: 5-7 days