Which finding is most typical of bacterial conjunctivitis?

• A. Purulent discharge
• B. Watery discharge
• C. No discharge
• D. Severe pain

Answer: (A)

Purulent discharge from the eye is the hallmark feature of bacterial conjunctivitis. The infection causes pus-producing inflammation of the conjunctiva, so the eye often looks red with thick, sticky, yellow-green discharge that crusts the eyelashes, especially after sleep. This thick discharge differs from other causes: viral conjunctivitis usually has watery discharge and may show preauricular lymph node swelling, while allergic conjunctivitis tends to cause itching with a ropy, stringy discharge. Severe eye pain points away from uncomplicated conjunctivitis and toward more serious problems like corneal involvement. So the presence of thick, purulent discharge best matches bacterial conjunctivitis.