Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis (acute conjunctivitis) is an acute, contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacterial infection and characterized by marked conjunctival redness and purulent or mucopurulent discharge. It is also called acute catarrhal conjunctivitis and is commonly known as “pink eye.” The incubation period is short, onset is rapid, and the condition is highly contagious through contact. Outbreaks may occur. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the category of “sudden wind-heat invading the eyes” (暴风客热, baofeng keren) under wind-heat eye disorders.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

The affected eye has itching and a gritty sensation, a burning feeling, sensitivity to light, conjunctival redness, mucoid or watery discharge, and mild eyelid swelling. There may also be aversion to wind, fever, headache, and nasal congestion. The tongue is red, with a thin white or slightly yellow coating; the pulse is floating and rapid.

In Plain Language:

  • The affected eye may feel both itchy and gritty, causing discomfort.
  • The eye may feel hot and burning, as if it had been scalded.
  • There may be sensitivity to light, with marked discomfort and easy tearing in bright light.
  • The white of the eye may look red due to conjunctival redness.
  • There may be mucoid or watery discharge that can make the eyelids stick together.
  • The eyelids may be mildly swollen and feel puffy.
  • There may also be aversion to wind and fever, with discomfort in a breeze and a raised body temperature.
  • Headache and nasal congestion may also occur, making breathing through the nose difficult.
  • The tongue may appear red when extended.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and white or slightly yellow.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse is felt superficially and is somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Dispel wind, clear the Lungs, and disperse pathogenic factors.

In Plain Language:

  • Disperse factors associated with wandering discomfort and itching, and ease wind-like symptoms.
  • Reduce excess heat in the Lungs and ease symptoms such as cough, sore throat, yellow phlegm, and dry mouth.
  • Dispel external pathogenic factors and ease discomfort such as fever, aversion to wind, and nasal congestion.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

The affected eye has more severe burning pain, sensitivity to heat and light, copious thick discharge, tearing, red and swollen eyelids, and conjunctival redness. There may also be thirst, constipation, and dark or reddish urine. The tongue coating is yellow; the pulse is rapid.

In Plain Language:

  • The eyes may feel intensely hot and painful, with discomfort when opening or closing them.
  • There may be sensitivity to heat as well as light, with greater discomfort in bright light or when exposed to heat.
  • There may be a large amount of thick eye discharge that can make the eyelashes stick together.
  • Increased tearing may interfere with daily activities.
  • The eyelids may become red and swollen and feel puffy.
  • The white of the eye may look markedly red due to conjunctival redness.
  • There may be thirst and a persistent desire to drink, with limited relief.
  • Constipation may occur, with hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.
  • Urine may be yellow or reddish and darker than usual.
  • The tongue coating may look yellow.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse may be noticeably rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Clear excess Lung heat, dispel wind, and disperse pathogenic factors.

In Plain Language:

  • Reduce excess heat in the Lungs and ease symptoms such as cough, sore throat, thick yellow phlegm, chest tightness, and dry mouth.
  • Dispel external pathogenic factors and ease surface symptoms such as fever, aversion to wind, headache, body aches, and nasal congestion.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

The affected eye has burning pain and pronounced stinging itchiness, with sensitivity to heat and light. The bulbar conjunctiva is red and may even be swollen. There may also be aversion to wind, fever, headache, nasal congestion, thirst, constipation, and dark or reddish urine. The tongue coating is yellow; the pulse is rapid.

In Plain Language:

  • The affected eye may feel markedly hot and painful, with discomfort when opening, closing, or moving the eye.
  • There may be pronounced stinging and itching that causes significant discomfort.
  • There may be sensitivity to heat and light, with greater discomfort in bright light or when exposed to heat.
  • The white of the eye (bulbar conjunctiva) may appear markedly red and, in severe cases, swollen.
  • There may also be aversion to wind and fever, with discomfort in a breeze and a raised body temperature.
  • Headache and nasal congestion may also occur, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.
  • There may be thirst and a desire to drink, with limited relief after drinking.
  • Stools may be hard and dry and difficult to pass.
  • Urine may be yellow or reddish and somewhat darker than usual.
  • The tongue coating may look yellow.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse may be relatively rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Disperse wind and clear heat; resolve both exterior and interior patterns.

In Plain Language:

  • Disperse wind and clear internal heat, easing discomfort such as fever, aversion to wind, headache, and sore throat.
  • Address both the exterior and interior, resolving external factors and internal heat together in an effort to stabilize symptoms.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

Fangfeng Tongsheng San

References

  1. Jin Ming. Annotations to the TCM Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: Ophthalmic Diseases [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015.
  2. Jin Ming. Clinical Rational Use of Chinese Patent Medicines for Common Diseases: Ophthalmology [M]. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House, 2015.
  3. Duan Junguo. Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Ophthalmology [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2013.