Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Causes, Home Care and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus explains that the conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is swelling or inflammation of that layer. It can come from an infection, an irritant, dry eyes, or an allergy, and most cases are caused by viruses or bacteria.

Who this is for

• Patients with red, itchy, watery, or crusty eyes that have not cleared in a few days
• Patients with eye redness along with seasonal allergy symptoms
• Patients whose work or household makes spreading an eye infection a worry
• Patients who wear contact lenses and want to know when to stop wearing them

What to expect

• Questions about when the redness began, any discharge, itching, and vision changes
• A look at both eyes and the eyelids during a short exam
• A plain explanation of whether the cause looks viral, bacterial, or allergic
• A plan that may include drops, cool or warm compresses, or a referral to an eye specialist

Three causes that look alike

MedlinePlus separates the common forms, because the treatment is different for each:

• Viral pink eye, the highly contagious kind that spreads easily through households and classrooms
• Bacterial conjunctivitis, often with crusts on the eyelid overnight
• Allergic conjunctivitis, triggered by pollen, dander, mold, or other allergens
• Irritant conjunctivitis from smoke, chemicals, dust, or overusing contact lenses

Symptoms to expect

MedlinePlus lists redness in the eyes, itching, a gritty feeling, increased tearing, crusts that form on the eyelid overnight, and sensitivity to light. It also lists blurred vision and eye pain, which are the symptoms that change how quickly you should be seen. Watery eyes with sneezing and an itchy nose usually point to allergy, which the seasonal allergies guide covers in more detail.

What helps, by type

MedlinePlus says treatment depends on the cause. Antibiotic eye drops work well for bacterial conjunctivitis, while most viral cases go away on their own without antibiotic drops. Allergic cases may improve once triggers are avoided, cool compresses can soothe them, and antihistamine drops may be used in more severe cases. For dry eyes, artificial tears help, and warm compresses ease crusty eyelids. If you use more than one kind of drop, it says to leave about 10 minutes between them.

Signs you should be seen

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if:

• Symptoms last longer than 3 or 4 days
• Your vision is affected
• You are sensitive to light
• Eye pain is severe or getting worse
• The eyelids or the skin around the eyes becomes swollen or red
• You have a headache along with the eye symptoms

Keeping it from spreading

MedlinePlus lists simple hygiene steps: wash your hands often, keep your hands away from your eyes, change pillowcases daily, do not share towels, handkerchiefs, or eye makeup, and replace eye makeup regularly. It also says to handle and clean contact lenses properly. These matter most in a home with several people, because viral pink eye moves through a household quickly.

What a visit involves

MedlinePlus says your provider will examine your eyes and may swab the conjunctiva for a sample, and that some viral tests can be done in an office. This practice's role is the exam, the plan and follow-up; any culture or specialist eye exam would be arranged through a referral. Eye redness that comes with fever and body aches is covered in the adult fever guide, and a visit for several symptoms at once is described in the same-day sick visit guide.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Conjunctivitis or pink eye
• MedlinePlus — Pink Eye