ABSTRACT
Although many infective agents can cause conjunctivitis, recognition of acute bacterial conjunctivitis is of utmost importance because of the rapidity of its development and its potential to cause irreversible ocular damage. Viruses, chlamydiae, rickettsiae, fungi, parasites, and numerous noninfectious agents and metabolic diseases may all cause conjunctivitis. It is, therefore, important to arrive at a specific diagnosis for selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
