Pink eye (conjunctivitis): symptoms, treatment and how long it lasts
By See Better · Updated · 5 min read
The short answer
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the thin layer that covers the white of the eye. It makes the eye red, watery or sticky and gritty. Most cases are caused by a virus and clear up by themselves in one to two weeks. Keep the eye clean, wash your hands often and avoid sharing towels.
Key points
- Viral pink eye is watery, bacterial is sticky and allergic is itchy.
- Most infections clear without treatment in one to two weeks.
- Infectious pink eye spreads easily, so hand washing is the best prevention.
- Pain, blurred vision or sensitivity to light means it is not simple pink eye.
What pink eye is
The conjunctiva is a thin, clear membrane that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. When it becomes inflamed, its tiny blood vessels swell and the eye turns pink or red. That inflammation is conjunctivitis. It has several different causes, and the right treatment depends on which one you have.
The three main types
| Viral | Bacterial | Allergic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge | Watery | Thick, yellow or green. Lids stuck together in the morning | Watery or stringy |
| Itch | Mild | Mild | Intense |
| One eye or both | Starts in one and often spreads to the other | One or both | Both |
| Often comes with | A cold or a sore throat | Sometimes an ear infection in children | Sneezing and a runny nose |
| Contagious | Very | Yes | No |
| Usual course | One to two weeks | A few days to a week | As long as the trigger is around |
There is also irritant conjunctivitis, caused by smoke, pool chlorine, dust or a splash of shampoo. It settles once the irritant is gone.
How to treat pink eye at home
Viral conjunctivitis
There is no medicine that cures it, and antibiotics do not work on viruses. It has to run its course. To stay comfortable:
- Wipe the eyelids with cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water, using a fresh piece for each eye.
- Use a cool compress for soreness.
- Use lubricating eye drops for the gritty feeling.
- Stop wearing contact lenses until the eye is completely clear, and throw away the pair you were wearing.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Mild cases often clear without treatment within a week. A pharmacist or doctor may recommend antibiotic drops or ointment, which can shorten the infection and reduce spread. Clean the discharge away as above.
Allergic conjunctivitis
This is not an infection. Avoiding the trigger, cold compresses and antihistamine eye drops are the main treatments. See itchy eyes and allergies.
How to stop it spreading
Viral and bacterial pink eye spread by hands, towels and surfaces.
- Wash your hands with soap often, and always after touching your eyes.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Use your own towel, facecloth and pillowcase, and wash them in hot water.
- Do not share eye drops, make-up or contact lens cases.
- Throw away eye make-up that you used while infected.
- Wipe down phones, door handles and remote controls.
How long is pink eye contagious?
Viral conjunctivitis is contagious for as long as the eye is red and watering, which is typically up to two weeks. Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious while there is discharge, and generally until about 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has started. Allergic and irritant conjunctivitis are not contagious at all.
For children, check your school's or creche's policy. As a rule, a child with a sticky, streaming eye should stay at home until the discharge has settled.
When a red eye is not just pink eye
Simple conjunctivitis is uncomfortable but not painful, and it does not harm your sight. Some serious eye conditions also cause a red eye and need treatment quickly.
See a doctor or optometrist the same day if a red eye comes with real pain, blurred vision that does not clear when you blink, sensitivity to light, a feeling that something is stuck in the eye, or a hazy patch on the clear front of the eye. Do the same if you wear contact lenses, if only one eye is affected and it is getting worse, or if the patient is a newborn baby.
Also seek advice if the symptoms have not started to improve after a week, or if they keep coming back. Eye emergencies: when to get help explains what is urgent.
A note on babies
A sticky or red eye in a baby under one month old must be seen by a doctor straight away, because some infections picked up at birth can damage the eye quickly. In older babies, a watery, slightly sticky eye without redness is often a blocked tear duct, which usually clears by itself. Have it checked to be sure.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of pink eye fast?
There is no instant cure. Viral pink eye must run its course over one to two weeks. Bacterial pink eye may clear faster with antibiotic drops. Cleaning the eye, cool compresses and lubricating drops ease the symptoms in both.
Do I need antibiotics for pink eye?
Usually not. Most pink eye is viral, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. They are used for bacterial conjunctivitis, which a pharmacist or doctor can help identify.
Can I go to work or school with pink eye?
Infectious pink eye spreads easily. If you can, stay at home while the eye is streaming or sticky, especially if your work involves close contact with other people or with food. Wash your hands often.
Is pink eye caused by needing glasses?
No. Conjunctivitis is caused by infection, allergy or irritation. Eyes that are often red and tired without discharge may be strained or dry, and an eye test can check for that.
This article is general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes or your sight, see an optometrist or a doctor. Sudden loss of vision, eye injuries and severe eye pain are emergencies.
