Pink eye.
Redness, itching or discharge can have several causes. Viral, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis need different approaches, so the symptoms and your eye-health history both matter.
What pink eye means.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the clear tissue covering the white of the eye and lining the eyelids. It may affect one or both eyes and can cause tearing, swelling or discharge that crusts overnight.
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread between people. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Redness or itching alone is not enough to identify the cause.
Three common causes.
Viruses.
Adenoviruses are a common cause. Some herpes viruses can also affect the eye and may need specific treatment. Viral conjunctivitis often causes watery discharge and can occur with a cold or respiratory symptoms.
Bacteria.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can cause discharge and eyelid crusting. Causes include Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species; infections involving chlamydia or gonorrhea need specific clinical treatment. Contaminated hands, cosmetics and shared personal items can spread infection.
Allergies.
Allergic conjunctivitis often causes itching and watering. It can accompany sneezing or other allergy symptoms. Triggers can include grass, pollen, dust, mold and ragweed.
Symptoms and when to seek care.
Common symptoms include redness, itching, watering, discharge and swollen eyelids. Eye pain, marked light sensitivity or blurred vision should not simply be assumed to be routine pink eye.
Seek medical care for pain, intense redness, light sensitivity, worsening symptoms or blurred vision that remains after discharge is wiped away. A newborn with pink-eye symptoms needs prompt medical assessment. If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them and seek guidance from your eye doctor.
Reducing spread.
- Wash your hands often and avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Do not share towels, pillowcases, makeup or eye-care items.
- Keep personal items and makeup applicators clean, and replace contaminated cosmetics.
- Follow your clinician’s advice about returning to work or school, considering symptoms, illness and close contact with others.
Treatment follows the cause.
Most viral cases settle with time. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Some specific viral infections need antiviral medicine, which a clinician decides.
A clinician may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis. Use any prescribed medicine exactly as directed; there is no single drop frequency or recovery time that applies to every infection.
Allergic conjunctivitis is managed by reducing exposure to triggers and, when appropriate, using allergy treatment. Cold compresses or artificial tears may relieve some symptoms.
Recovery varies with the cause and severity. Viral conjunctivitis often lasts one to two weeks and can last longer. Seek advice if symptoms worsen or do not improve rather than relying on a promised recovery date.