What type of discharge is most suggestive of viral conjunctivitis?

Watery discharge is most suggestive of viral conjunctivitis due to the nature of the viral infection and the body's immune response. In viral conjunctivitis, the conjunctival tissues are typically inflamed, causing watery secretions as the body attempts to flush out the virus and associated irritants. This type of discharge is generally thin and clear, which differentiates it from bacterial infections that typically produce thicker, different-colored discharges.

The other types of discharges point more towards different causes: stringy and white discharge might be associated with allergic conjunctivitis rather than viral; white or yellow globular discharge is more indicative of bacterial conjunctivitis due to the presence of pus from the infection; purulent discharge is also characteristic of bacterial infections, where the presence of bacteria causes a thicker, yellow or green discharge. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment in ophthalmic conditions.