Testing for bacterial conjunctivitis commonly shows which fluorescein staining result?

• A. Fluorescein staining is negative
• B. Fluorescein staining is positive
• C. Lid eversion shows papillae
• D. PAL assessment is positive

Answer: (A)

Fluorescein staining assesses the integrity of the corneal epithelium. In uncomplicated bacterial conjunctivitis, the infection is typically confined to the conjunctiva and the corneal surface remains intact, so fluorescein uptake is not seen. A positive stain would indicate corneal involvement (keratitis or a corneal ulcer), which is not characteristic of this condition. Signs like lid papillae or other lid/ocular surface assessments relate to different exam findings and don’t describe fluorescein staining results. Therefore, the common staining result is negative.