Audit of management of acute infective conjunctivitis in primary care
Locum GP
E-mail: gayle.knights{at}btopenworld.com
| Abstract |
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A recent article in the British Medical Journal (Everitt et al., 2006), looking at various options for the management of uncomplicated acute infective conjunctivitis (AIC), suggested that a delayed prescription of anti-infective eye preparations was the most appropriate choice. Up to this point, I routinely prescribed chloramphenicol or fusidic acid for all patients presenting with AIC and the partners at my practice agreed their management approach was the same as mine. A literature search of Medline, Cochrane Library and BMJ.com, using search strings infective conjunctivitis, delayed prescribing and conjunctivitis-delayed prescribing revealed further evidence for withholding treatment.
The Information Leaflet given to patients or carers (Appendix 1) and letter for patients (Appendix 2) used in this audit is available as supplementary data online