Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEye DropsOther OptionsWhen to See a ProviderPreventing Spread
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Eye Drops
Other Options
When to See a Provider
Preventing Spread
Eye drops for pink eye include both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication. Prescriptions may be antiviral or antibiotic eye drops, depending on the underlying cause.
Pink eye, otherwise calledconjunctivitis, is a common condition. Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of theconjunctiva(the membrane that covers the white portion of the eye). The conjunctiva provides lubrication to the eye’s surface. It also has many blood vessels that can become inflamed, giving the eye its distinct pink orred color.
The body can fight off pink on its own. However, a healthcare provider can determine whether you might have a treatable form of pink eye.
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Choosing the Right Eye Drops
There are three different types of pink eye and they each require a different treatment approach.
Bacterial Pink Eye
Bacterial conjunctivitiscan cause a red eye that may or may not have a mucus discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis can resolve without treatment, or it may be treated with antibiotic eye drops. It usually takes two to five days to clear up on its own but may take two weeks or more to disappear completely.
Antibiotic eye drops may be recommended if you have pink eye with:
Types of antibiotic eye drops your primary care provider or eye doctor (ophthalmologistor optometrist) may prescribe include:
Viral Pink Eye
Viral conjunctivitiscan produce symptoms of the common cold and cause the whites of the eyes to become red. It can also cause a watery discharge that may last up to a couple of weeks.
This form of pink eye is usually mild and goes away within about a week or two without treatment. However, sometimes it may take longer to clear up.
Antibiotic eye drops won’t help cure viral pink eye because they are not effective against viruses.
Allergic Pink Eye
Allergic conjunctivitisis due to an allergen.Allergensare substances that produce an allergic reaction and can include pollen, mold spores, and animal dander.
The key to treating allergic pink eye is to remove the allergen from the environment. Aside from allergy medications, certain eye drops can provide relief. These include topicalantihistamine, vasoconstrictors (decongestants), and some prescription eye drops.
A healthcare provider can also help treat pink eye due to an allergy and may suggest a combination of treatments.
Relief for Eye Allergy Symptoms
Other Treatment Options
Since viral and bacterial pink eye is the kind of infection that the body can often clear on its own, you may find relief from at-home remedies.
Some steps you can take to lessen symptoms include:
Warm CompressTo use awarm compress, take a clean washcloth, run it under warm water, and wring it out. Place this on your closed eyelids until it cools down. This can soothe eyes and help loosen any dried mucus that may make your eyelids stick together. Repeat as often as you need but with a clean washcloth each time.
Warm Compress
To use awarm compress, take a clean washcloth, run it under warm water, and wring it out. Place this on your closed eyelids until it cools down. This can soothe eyes and help loosen any dried mucus that may make your eyelids stick together. Repeat as often as you need but with a clean washcloth each time.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Preventing the Spread of Pink Eye
Unfortunately, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are extremely contagious.If one family member has pink eye, the rest of the household can easily get it. To keep this from happening, here are some tips:
How to Identify and Treat Pink Eye in Children
Summary
Anyone can get a pink eye infection. The conjunctival membrane can appear red and inflamed as blood vessels swell. Also, mucus can collect in the eye. It isn’t always necessary to treat pink eye since the body can often heal such infections on its own.
More serious cases of bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotic drops and ointments. In addition, there are home remedies that can help with any type of pink eye, including artificial tears and warm compresses.
Bacterial and viral pink eye is very contagious. To stop the spread, wash your hands often and avoid sharing any towels and linens with family members if even one person has pink eye. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have pink eye symptoms for more than a week or are experiencing other vision problems.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Conjunctivitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of pink eye (conjunctivitis).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye: quick home remedies.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Conjunctivitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of pink eye (conjunctivitis).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye: quick home remedies.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Conjunctivitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of pink eye (conjunctivitis).American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye: quick home remedies.
American Optometric Association.Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat pink eye.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Conjunctivitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of pink eye (conjunctivitis).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Pink eye: quick home remedies.
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