Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Overview

Conjunctivitis is often called pink eye because it can turn the white of the eye pink or red. It happens when the conjunctiva, the clear layer over the white of the eye and inside the eyelids, gets swollen. The swelling makes the tiny blood vessels easier to see.

It's one of the most common eye problems. Viruses cause most cases in adults. Bacteria, allergies, and irritants like smoke or chlorine can also cause it. Some kinds spread easily; allergic and irritant pink eye don't.

Symptoms

Symptoms can be in one or both eyes, and some depend on the cause.

• Pink or red color in the white of the eye
• Eye discharge: watery, or thick pus that can stick the eyelids together
• Crusting of the eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning
• Itchy or watery eyes
• A gritty feeling, burning, or urge to rub the eye

Less common

• Swollen eyelids
• Contact lenses that feel uncomfortable
• With a virus: a cold or sore throat; usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other
• With allergies: both eyes, intense itching, sneezing, or an itchy nose

How it usually goes

• Days 1–3: Redness, tearing, and discharge start. Viral pink eye often spreads to the other eye within days.
• Days 3–7: Symptoms are often worst, then start to ease. Keep washing hands to avoid spreading it.
• Weeks 1–2: Most viral and mild bacterial pink eye clears up. See a healthcare professional if it doesn't.

Look up a symptom: Itchy or watery eyes · Red eye or eye discharge · Swollen or puffy eyelid or eye

When to get medical care

Causes

The most common causes are viruses (often the same ones that cause colds), bacteria, and allergens like pollen or pet dander. Chemicals, smoke, chlorine, contact lenses, and something stuck in the eye, like an eyelash, can also cause it.

Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily, through hands that touch the eyes, shared towels or makeup, and coughs and sneezes. Allergic and irritant pink eye are not contagious.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: coughs, sneezes, or germs from poop getting into the mouth.
• Washing hands often and staying home when sick help protect others.

Who is more likely to get it

• Children, especially in daycare and school
• Contact lens wearers, especially if lenses are worn overnight or not cleaned well
• People with allergies like hay fever
• Close contact with someone who has viral or bacterial pink eye

Possible complications

• Contact lens eye infection: Eye pain, light sensitivity, blurry vision; needs care right away
• Inflamed cornea (keratitis): Eye pain and vision changes
• Ear infection: Can happen with bacterial pink eye in children

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional can usually tell what kind of pink eye you have from your symptoms and a look at your eye.

Questions you may be asked

• When it started, and whether one or both eyes are affected
• What the discharge looks like: watery, or thick and sticky
• Whether you have a cold, allergies, or itching
• Whether you wear contact lenses
• Whether you have eye pain, blurry vision, or trouble with light

The exam

They'll look at your eyes, eyelids, and vision. They may use a bright light or a special dye drop to check the clear front of the eye (the cornea) for scratches or infection.

Tests

Tests usually aren't needed. Sometimes:

• Eye swab: If symptoms are severe, keep coming back, or don't get better, or in a newborn.
• Eye doctor exam: For contact lens wearers, eye pain, vision changes, or pink eye that won't clear.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. Most viral pink eye clears up on its own in 1 to 2 weeks, and antibiotics don't help it. Mild bacterial pink eye often clears on its own too, but antibiotic eye drops can make it shorter. Allergy eye drops help allergic pink eye.

Self-care

• Cool or warm compresses, using a clean cloth for each eye
• Artificial tears to ease dryness and irritation
• Gently clean away crust with a clean, wet cloth
• Stop wearing contact lenses until your eyes are better; throw away disposable lenses you wore
• Wash your hands often, and don't share towels, pillows, or eye makeup

Medicines

Over-the-counter eye drops can ease symptoms. Antibiotic drops need a prescription.

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional.

Your healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment if bacteria are likely. Contact lens wearers with bacterial pink eye need prompt care because of the risk of a corneal infection. Pink eye from herpes viruses or from gonorrhea or chlamydia needs special treatment.

How it compares

Prevention

Good hygiene keeps pink eye from spreading:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
• Don't share towels, pillows, washcloths, eye drops, or eye makeup
• Clean and store contact lenses as directed, and don't sleep in them unless told you can
• Throw away eye makeup used while you had pink eye

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor and surgeon) or an optometrist.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most children don't need to miss school unless they have a fever or feel sick. Check your school's rules.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Newborns: Pink eye in a newborn can be serious, especially if it's from an infection passed during birth. A newborn with eye redness or discharge should be seen by a doctor right away.
• Children: Ask your child's healthcare professional, school, or daycare when your child can return. Children usually shouldn't go back while symptoms continue if they can't avoid close contact with others.
• Contact lens wearers: Stop wearing lenses until your eyes are better. A red, painful eye in a contact lens wearer needs prompt care.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most pink eye is mild and clears up in 1 to 2 weeks without lasting problems. Allergic pink eye gets better when the allergen is avoided or treated. Rarely, some types can harm vision if not treated, so see a healthcare professional for pain, light sensitivity, or blurry vision.

Myths and facts

Getting ready for your visit

A little preparation helps you get the most from a short visit.

What to bring

• When it started, and whether one or both eyes are affected
• Your contact lenses and case, if you wear them
• Whether others around you have pink eye or a cold
• Any allergies and medicines you take

Questions to ask

• Is this viral, bacterial, or allergic?
• Do I need antibiotic drops?
• When can I (or my child) go back to work, school, or daycare?
• When can I wear contact lenses again?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Pink eye (conjunctivitis)