How common is conjunctivitis?
It's hard to say how many people get conjunctivitis. There hasn't been much research.
Doctors think that it's very common, because it's one of the main reasons why people go to see their doctor about their eyes. Some research in the United Kingdom has shown that between 1 in 100 and 2 in 100 people who go to see a doctor have conjunctivitis.1
About half of all cases of conjunctivitis are caused by an infection with bacteria.2
Sources for the information on this page:
- Everitta H, Little P. How do GPs diagnose and manage acute infective conjunctivitis? Family Practice. 2002; 19: 658-660. 12429670
- Rietveld RP, ter Riet G, Bindels PJ, et al. Predicting bacterial cause in infectious conjunctivitis: cohort study on informativeness of combinations of signs and symptoms. BMJ. 2004; 329: 206-210. 15201195
This information was last updated in Feb 20, 2008
 |
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
