Final answer:
The most serious complication of mucopurulent conjunctivitis is progressive corneal scarring, leading to blindness. Severe forms such as gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum and trachoma can cause blindness if untreated. Prompt treatment, often with antibiotics, is essential to prevent these adverse outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most serious complication of mucopurulent conjunctivitis is progressive corneal scarring, which can lead to blindness. The inflammation of the conjunctiva with purulent discharge can result in scarring and perforation of the cornea if not adequately treated. Conditions like gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum and trachoma, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis respectively, are particularly serious forms of conjunctivitis that can cause blindness in untreated cases.Bacterial conjunctivitis often resolves on its own or with antibiotic treatment. However, in severe cases like with ophthalmia neonatorum, if left untreated, the purulent discharge can scar the cornea, causing loss of vision or permanent blindness. In the case of infections by C. trachomatis, chronic conjunctivitis can lead to necrotic follicles and scarring, turning the eyelashes inward, a condition known as trichiasis, and causing mechanical abrasion of the cornea, potentially leading to blindness.