Mucopurulant conjunctivitis is a way to describe any type of conjunctivitis that has discharge. “Mucopurulant” means mucous with pus. Mucopurulant conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection. The term “mucopurulant conjunctivitis” is sometimes used as a synonym for bacterial conjunctivitis.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is often caused by staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Haemophilus. Symptoms of mucopurulant conjunctivitis are redness of the eyes, thick discharge from the eyes, the eyelids sticking together, increased discharge during sleep, and mild sensitivity to light. Someone with this type of conjunctivitis may have blurred vision due to mucous or discharge particles on the eye.

People with bacterial conjunctivitis can experience swelling of the eyelids, mild pain in the eyes, or itchiness. Symptoms of this condition usually begin in one eye and spread to the other eye within days.
If people with mucopurulant conjunctivitis are bothered by light, they may find it comforting to wear sunglasses. For bacterial conjunctivitis, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops, medicated ointment, or other medication. Erythromycin, bacitracin, sulfonamides, and quinolones are common medications used to treat mucopurulant conjunctivitis.

Keeping the eye area clean and applying cold compresses may help the person feel more comfortable. Mucopurulant conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Care should be taken to avoid spreading conjunctivitis. People with mucopurulant conjunctivitis are usually encouraged to be absent from work or school until the symptoms subside or the infected person has been on the medication for twenty-four hours or longer. Common types of acterial conjunctivitis will eventually clear on its own.

One potentially serious type of mucopurulant conjunctivitis is infectious hyperacute mucopurulent conjunctivitis. Infectious hyperacute mucopurulent conjunctivitis can be caused by gonorrhea or Chlamydia. It can be caused by touching the eye after the hand has had contact with an infection of gonorrhea or Chlamydia on the person or a sexual partner.

Newborns may develop infectious hyperacute mucopurulant conjunctivitis due to being exposed to gonorrhea or Chlamydia during birth. This condition causes redness, significant eyelid swelling, and discharge from the eyes. The symptoms usually develop two to five days after delivery if due to gonorrhea. If the infectious hyperacute mucopurulant conjunctivitis in a newborn is caused by Chlamydia, symptoms often begin five to fourteen days after delivery.

Mucopurulant conjunctivitis in newborns is sometimes called ophthalmia neonatorum. An infant may be treated with silver nitrate or antibiotic drops to prevent complications of this condition. Infectious hyperacute mucopurulent conjunctivitis can be severe and lead to blindness.