| Category Name | Content |
| Name | Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Treatment |
| Uses | Treatment of conjunctivitis (pink eye) to relieve symptoms such as redness, irritation, discharge, and discomfort. Reduces infection risk and improves comfort and vision. |
| Route Of Administration | Topical (eye drops or ointments). |
| Frequency Of Use | Varies by medication: typically 1-2 drops per affected eye every 2-4 hours for 7-10 days or as directed by provider. |
| Concentration(s) | Olopatadine (Patanol), Ketotifen, Moxifloxacin (Vigamox), Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim drops, Ofloxacin. |
| Maximum Dosage (Day, Wk) | Follow individual medication dosing guidelines. Maximum dosing per day is typically 6 doses per eye for antibiotic drops. |
| Contraindications | Pregnancy, recent eye surgery, history of allergic reactions to eye medications, contact lens use without pseudomonas coverage, suspected herpetic or zoster keratitis, or systemic symptoms like facial numbness or jaw pain. |
| Possible Side Effects | Temporary stinging, redness, blurred vision, dryness, irritation, rare allergic reactions, or worsening symptoms. |
| Compatibility With Other Treatments/Drugs | Check for interactions with immunosuppressants or glaucoma medications before prescribing. |
| Allergies | Assess for hypersensitivity to prescribed eye drops or ointments. |
| Administration Time | Instill drops every 2-4 hours as prescribed, ensuring proper hand hygiene before and after application. |
| Dosing/Settings | Standard treatment protocol: - **Allergic Conjunctivitis:** Olopatadine (1 drop twice daily) or Ketotifen (1 drop twice daily). - **Bacterial Conjunctivitis:** Moxifloxacin (1 drop three times daily for 7 days), Erythromycin (1 cm ribbon inside lower eyelid up to six times daily for 7-10 days), or Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim (1 drop every 3 hours, max 6 doses per day for 7-10 days). - **Contact Lens-Related Bacterial Conjunctivitis:** Ofloxacin (1-2 drops every 2-4 hours for 2 days, then 1-2 drops four times daily for 5 more days). |
| Test Spot Requirement | Not required. |
| Pre-Treatment Guidelines | Ensure patient is not wearing contact lenses. Educate on hand hygiene and avoiding rubbing eyes. If vision changes or systemic symptoms occur, recommend urgent evaluation. |
| Provider Clearance Guidelines | Defer if patient has vision loss, herpetic/zoster suspicion, recent eye surgery, or worsening symptoms despite prior treatment. |
| Pre-Treatment Screening Workflow | 1. Pregnancy? (If YES, defer). 2. Eye surgery in past 2 months? (If YES, defer). 3. Vision changes? (If YES, refer for urgent evaluation). 4. Facial numbness, vesicles, or jaw pain? (If YES, defer and refer to ophthalmology). 5. Contact lens use? (If YES, prescribe antibiotics with pseudomonas coverage). |
| What To Do If Adverse Reaction Occurs | Discontinue drops if severe irritation or swelling occurs. Refer for urgent evaluation if symptoms worsen or fail to improve within 72 hours. |
| Clinic Implementation Guidelines | Confirm consent before prescribing. Educate patient on proper drop administration and hygiene. Follow up if no symptom improvement within 72 hours. |
| Photographic Documentation Protocol | Not required. |
| Post-Treatment Care | Avoid rubbing eyes. Do not share eye drops. Use artificial tears as needed for dryness. Reassess if symptoms persist beyond 72 hours. |
| Additional Documentation Requirements | Signed consent, allergy review, and prescription details documented in patient record. |