Bacterial conjunctivitis is the most common type of conjunctivitis encountered in clinical practice. It is staged 3 ways: hyperacute, acute and chronic. It is presents with conjunctival hyperemia along with purulent or mucopurulent discharge. Acute bacterial (catarrhal) conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye”, is typically seen in the autumn and summer months. Because the disease is highly contagious, it is more likely to occur at densely populated places like kindergartens, schools and factories. Handkerchiefs, towels, water and hands act as carriers to spread the disease. The disease presents acutely with a short latency period. At the onset, it can either attack one or both eyes at a time, with a one- or two-day interval before both eyes are affected. Symptoms are most severe on the third or fourth day. This condition gradually improves and the recovery typically occurs within 1-2 weeks.

In TCM, this disease is referred to as bào fēng kè rè (暴风客热, fulminant wind and invading fever). It is characterized by an abrupt onset, conjunctival redness, burning and itching, tearing, sticky discharge, and pain. The eyelids and the conjunctiva are red and swollen.

The cause of the disease is primarily atributed to externally contracted wind-heat and/or constrained heat in the interior. Pathogenic wind and heat contend with each other, stagnate in the lung, and then atack upward to afect the conjunctiva.