What is a distinct feature of acute bacterial conjunctivitis?

A distinct feature of acute bacterial conjunctivitis is the presence of yellow purulent discharge. This discharge is typically thick and can vary in amount, occurring regularly with the condition. The purulent nature of the discharge results from the body's immune response to the bacterial infection, which includes the influx of white blood cells and other components that contribute to the hallmark symptoms. This discharge is often associated with redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, but it is specifically the yellow purulent aspect that sets bacterial conjunctivitis apart from viral or allergic conjunctivitis, which usually feature different types of discharge.

Chronic redness, watery discharge, and severe ocular pain are associated with other conditions or forms of conjunctivitis, but they do not characteristically define acute bacterial conjunctivitis. In particular, watery discharge is more commonly seen in viral infections, while severe ocular pain might suggest a different ocular issue, such as keratitis or a corneal ulcer. Thus, the presence of yellow purulent discharge is a key identifying symptom of acute bacterial conjunctivitis.