Acute conjunctivitis

Acute conjunctivitis in Berlin — triage decides

Acute conjunctivitis is a common symptom — and a frequently mistreated one. In Berlin we see the full spectrum: highly contagious viral conjunctivitis in nurseries and schools, allergic conjunctivitis in pollen season, bacterial conjunctivitis with purulent discharge. The main job of the physician is clean triage: harmless, self-limiting conjunctivitis — or a more serious eye disease requiring ophthalmology?

On the house call we take time to answer that question. We check visual function, pupillary reaction, conjunctiva, cornea and eyelids, and look for anterior-chamber irritation and photophobia. With clear red flags we direct you to an eye emergency department — in Berlin, the Charité Campus Virchow or the on-call ophthalmologist. With classical conjunctivitis we treat on site and spare you the trip to the clinic.

What happens during the house call

We ask about onset, discharge pattern, accompanying symptoms, allergies, contact lens use and possible contacts. We examine under good light, check visual acuity orientatively, lid position and conjunctival irritation. Viral conjunctivitis typically shows watery-serous discharge, lid swelling and spread in the environment; bacterial form purulent yellow discharge and lash sticking; allergic form bilateral severe itching and chemotic swelling. Treatment follows the picture: viral form symptomatically with cool compresses and artificial tears; bacterial form antibiotic eye drops for a week; allergic form antihistamine eye drops and possibly systemic antihistamines. Contact lens wearers with a red eye need extra caution — we think of keratitis and refer generously.

Contagion and protective measures

Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious — hand hygiene, separate towels and avoiding shared pillows protect the family. Contact lenses must be paused during the acute phase; medical clearance before resumption is wise. For children in nursery or school we discuss return individually — usually after the acute symptoms subside.

How the house call works

On first contact we clarify symptoms, duration, accompanying symptoms and history. With red flags (vision loss, severe pain, eye injury) we direct you to an eye emergency department. Otherwise we dispatch the next available specialist — typically a 60- to 90-minute arrival.

On site we perform the structured eye exam, distinguish viral, bacterial and allergic forms and prescribe accordingly. With any uncertainty or suspicion of deeper eye disease we organise ophthalmology review.

Billing and insurance

We bill according to the German private medical fee schedule (GOÄ) via our Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle. House call, examination and administered medication are itemised separately. German private health insurance and Beihilfe schemes typically reimburse these positions in full.

We can issue an English invoice on request and remain reachable by phone for billing questions after the visit.