Referral strategies
While most cases of conjunctivitis can be managed safely in community pharmacy, certain features require urgent referral. These include:
- Moderate or severe eye pain
- Photophobia
- Reduced or blurred vision
- Corneal opacity
- Contact lens-related symptoms
- Neonatal conjunctivitis
- Suspected herpetic eye disease
- Eye trauma or chemical exposure.
Clear recognition of these red flags is essential for safe practice.