Types of bacterial conjunctivitis

My opthamologist thinks that I either have bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis. I am being treated for both (bacterial with doxycycline and allergic with Patanol). I have just received word that the results of the culture that she took is negative, but she still wants me to continue to be on doxycycline still (take 100mg 2x/day).

My question is: How accurate are cultures for determining bacaterial conjunctivitis? Is it normal for the opthamologist to continue to prescribe this medication?

By  the way, after two weeks of being on both the doxy and Patanol, eye redness is slightly improved.

Thanks!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I'm not going to be of much help. Most bacterial conjunctivitis are treated with DROPS not oral antibiotics. Oral TCN is not commonly used for conjunctivitis. It isused for blepharitis.

We don't usually culture conjunctivis unless very severe was the cultures take so long to get back we don't find them helpful.

Since your therapy is unusual you will need to ask your Eye MD why he/she made the choices.

JCH III MD