An antibacterial drug called propamidine, which has a less wide-ranging effect on bacteria than chloramphenicol, is also available OTC in Brolene Eye Drops and Golden Eye Ointment. These products are licensed for the treatment of “local, superficial” eye infections.

Patients are advised to seek medical advice if there is no stabilisation or improvement after 48 hours. There appears to be no formal published assessment of the efficacy of propamidine in the management of acute infective conjunctivitis.

Reflection exercise

Dry eye disease is a common chronic condition in older people, but do you know which other groups of people can suffer from dry eyes?