Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Overview

Pink eye is one of the most common eye problems seen in adults and children. Although symptoms can be unpleasant, it rarely affects your vision. The condition often gets better on its own, but it’s best to see your doctor in case you need treatment with antibiotics.

Potential Causes and Risk Factors

Most cases of pink eye are caused by a viral or bacterial infection and may be accompanied by symptoms of a cold, respiratory infection, or ear infection. In such cases, one or both eyes may be affected.

Allergens like pollen or pet dander can also trigger symptoms of pink eye. Allergic pin keye affects both eyes and is often accompanied by sneezing and running nose.

Eye irritants, such as chlorine, air pollution, eye makeup, or a chemical splash or foreign object in your eye can also lead to symptoms of pink eye.

Anyone can get pink eye, but it is especially common in toddlers and young children, who frequently rub their eyes and may spread infections to others at school, daycare, or the playground. Other risk factors include:

• Contact with someone with viral or bacterial pink eye
• Exposure to an allergen
• Wearing contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses

Is Pink Eye Contagious?

Pink eye that is caused by a bacterial or viral infection is highly contagious, especially among young children. Infection spreads through direct or indirect contact with the liquid that drains from the eye of someone who’s infected.

If your pink eye is caused by bacteria, it typically takes about 24 hours for the antibiotics to start working and for the pink eye to no longer be contagious. If you pink eye is caused by a virus, you are contagious until your symptoms clear up on their own.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the spread of infectious pink eye. It’s also recommended that you:

• Stay home from school or work until your symptoms have resolved
• Don’t touch your eyes with your hands
• Wash your hands well with warm, soapy water
• Use a clean towel and/or washcloth daily
• Wash your sheets, especially your pillow cases, often
• Throw away your eye makeup, as it may be contaminated
• Don’t share eye drops, eye makeup, washcloths or towels

Diagnosis

If you or your child has symptoms of pink eye, it’s important to see a doctor. Your doctor will likely be able to provide a diagnosis based on an examination, your symptoms, and recent health history. Your doctor may take a sample of the fluid draining from your eye for testing if they suspect a more serious cause, such as a serious bacterial infection, a foreign body, or a sexually transmitted infection. Your doctor may also examine your ears to see if you have an ear infection caused by the same bacteria that can cause pink eye.

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the cause of your pink eye. If you wear contacts, your doctor may recommend that you switch to eye glasses until your symptoms subside.

Viral pink eye: Viral pink eye is usually mild and clears up in about 7-14 days without treatment. In the meantime, placing a cool compress on the eyes a few times a day will help alleviate discomfort.

Bacterial pink eye: Bacterial pink eye is typically treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment.

Allergic pink eye: Reducing your exposure to known allergens will help improve your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend or prescribe allergy medicines, like mast cell inhibitors or antihistamines. These medications may be taken as eye drops or by mouth. A cool compress can also help soothe the itchiness and relieve swelling.