Infective conjunctivitis: from self-care to prescribing

By exploring how care can move from self-management through to locally commissioned NHS services and independent prescribing, this module highlights the clinical decision-making involved at all three levels.

After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology and common causes of conjunctivitis, and differentiate them in practice using a structured clinical assessment that identifies red flag symptoms and exclusion criteria that require urgent referral
• Assess when antibiotic treatment is clinically appropriate and justify the use of chloramphenicol eye drops within PGD or prescribing frameworks
• Explain the role of self-care and OTC treatments in conjunctivitis, and support patients to manage symptoms safely without unnecessary antibiotic use

Author: Jane Portlock, Professor of Pharmacy Postgraduate Education, University of Reading School of Pharmacy