Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is when your eyes look pink because the membrane that covers the sclera, the white of your eye, is inflamed. Increased swelling and blood flow in the sclera are what cause it to change color. This condition is a common issue for people of all ages. Fortunately, it’s usually not serious and very treatable.
Pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva, a clear membrane layer that covers parts of your eyes and the inside of your eyelids. This condition is extremely common, partly because it happens for so many different reasons. Many of those reasons are also common.
Pink eye can be acute (short-term), meaning it lasts under four weeks. Or it can be chronic (long-term), meaning it lasts more than four weeks. You can have it in one eye only or both at the same time.
Between 15% and 40% of people experience allergic conjunctivitis because of seasonal allergies. Other types of conjunctivitis are more common in different age groups and/or at certain times of the year. It’s similar to how the common cold and flu are more common during winter months.
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Just like the name sounds, pink eye can make the sclera of your eye look pink or reddish instead of white. It can also make your eyelids look puffy or droopy, and it’s common to have fluid (discharge) coming from your infected eye.
Pink eye has many common symptoms. And many of the symptoms happen with other eye diseases. The common symptoms include:
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Conjunctivitis has dozens of potential causes, but there’s one simple way to organize them: infectious and noninfectious.
“Infectious” means the disease that causes pink eye is contagious and can spread to the unaffected eye or other people. Pink eye’s most common infectious forms spread very easily.
Infectious causes come in four subtypes: viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are extremely common. Fungal and parasitic conjunctivitis are generally uncommon or even rare.
Viruses are the most common cause of acute (short-term) conjunctivitis. The most common virus type that can cause it is the adenovirus family. Adenoviruses cause upper respiratory infections similar to colds or the flu.
Many other viruses can cause pink eye, too. Examples include:
Bacteria rank second among the most common causes of infectious conjunctivitis. The most common bacterial culprits are:
These include causes that don’t spread to people from other people, animals, or contaminated objects or surfaces. Examples include:
There are many possible risk factors for conjunctivitis, including:
Pink eye usually isn’t a dangerous condition, and many cases — especially less serious cases — go away on their own as your immune system handles the infection. But some types of pink eye won’t go away and need treatment.
Though they aren’t common, conjunctivitis complications can sometimes cause permanent eye damage and even blindness if they go too long without treatment. Complications like this include:
Because of the risk of permanent damage, you shouldn’t ignore pink eye symptoms if they’re still getting worse after more than a few days.
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Eye care specialists usually aren’t the ones to diagnose conjunctivitis. Instead, 80% of diagnoses come from primary care providers and pediatricians. Urgent care and emergency room providers also diagnose many cases.
Providers may also recommend taking a swab to test for bacterial infections. To do that, they’ll use a soft-tipped swab to collect some of the fluid oozing from your eye for lab testing. Your provider can use the results to guide your treatment.
In the following days or weeks, your provider may recommend that you have a follow-up visit with an eye care specialist to check on how your eye is healing and adjust your treatment if necessary.
Pink eye is treatable, regardless of the cause. Some treatments are more specific, while others help many types of pink eye or its most common symptoms.
Most pink eye treatments are medications. Many of these focus on treating the symptoms of pink eye, regardless of the type causing them. These medications usually include corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®). The medications for the different types of conjunctivitis also include:
It’s important to remember that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. They don’t help viral or allergic pink eye. And if your provider prescribes antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed until you finish them. Don’t stop taking them once you start feeling better, or the infection could get worse again.
There are other treatments your provider or eye specialist may recommend other than medications. These vary widely, but some of the more common ones include:
Depending on your condition and situation, your provider or eye specialist may recommend other treatments, too. It’s a good idea to ask them about your options because they can provide the most relevant information for your case.
Some forms of conjunctivitis are preventable, and you can lower your risk of developing many others. Some of the most important things you can do to prevent pink eye or make developing it less likely include:
The outlook for pink eye is generally good, especially when treated as needed. Milder cases often go away on their own with no treatment.
If you notice treatments aren’t working to help your pink eye, call the provider treating you. They may be able to adjust your treatment to better help you.
Pink eye can have different expected timelines, depending on the type you have. Allergy-related pink eye lasts as long you’re around the allergen causing the reaction. Bacterial infections last up to 10 days (and fewer when treated). Viral infections typically last up to two weeks, but some may last longer in rare cases.
If you suspect you have pink eye and it keeps worsening after a few days, it’s a good idea to see a primary care provider or go to urgent care.
You or your child can usually go back to daycare, school or work as soon as symptoms go away. This might be as soon as 24 hours after antibiotic treatment for a bacterial infection and between two and seven days after a viral infection.
Being symptom-free means you don’t have:
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider about when it’s safe to return. If an allergy or something else that’s not contagious caused your pink eye, you don’t need to stay home.
You don’t necessarily need to see a doctor for pink eye. Most of the time, you can treat the symptoms at home until they go away on their own. But you should never hesitate to call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
If you’re a contact lens wearer and have symptoms of pink eye, you should stop wearing your contacts immediately and see an eye care specialist.
Some symptoms can be a sign of a serious problem, such as an ulcer, which can result in permanent vision loss. Call your healthcare provider or seek medical care right away if you experience:
Pink eye can come back, especially if you have allergy-related pink eye. Every time you’re in contact with an allergen (a substance that triggers allergies) you have a sensitivity to, your eyes may react.
If you have bacterial or viral pink eye, you can also accidentally reinfect yourself. To avoid that, you should:
You may want to ask your provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It can be unpleasant to have pink eye yourself, and if a child you care for has it — especially if it’s your first time caring for a child — it’s easy to worry or feel anxious. Pink eye is typically a minor condition and it’s usually very treatable. If you have any concerns, talk to your provider (or the provider who cares for your child).
Last reviewed on 04/17/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy