Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball is one of the most common eye conditions affecting both adults and children. Symptoms frequently begin in one eye but usually spread to both within a day or two. The eyes are red and the eyelids are often swollen. In addition, the eyes may develop an oozing discharge that blurs the vision and may glue the eyelids together, particularly during sleep. The eyes are often itchy and sensitive to light, but usually not painful.
What is the cause of conjunctivitis?
The condition might be due to the following:
- Microbial infection.
- Virus-related infection.
- Sensitivity to certain substances (example, pollen).
- Aggravations such as dirt or chemicals
Conjunctivitis caused by virus-related or microbial infection is extremely contagious.
Signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis
The eyes may be:
- feeling gritty or burning
- bloodshot
- sticky, with a discharge of pus
- itchy
- watery
Types of Conjunctivitis
Viral pink eye
Most cases of viral pink eye are mild. It usually clears up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences. However, in some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up.
A doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to treat more serious forms of pink eye (like infection caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus).
Antibiotics will NOT improve viral pink eye; these drugs are not effective against viruses.
Bacterial pink eye
Mild bacterial pink eye may get better without antibiotic treatment and without causing any complications. It usually clears up in 2 to 5 days without treatment but can take 2 weeks to go away completely.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, usually given topically as eye drops or ointment, for bacterial pink eye. Antibiotics may help shorten the length of infection, reduce complications, and prevent the spread to others. Antibiotics may be necessary in the following cases:
- With discharge (pus)
- If you have a weakened immune system
- When certain bacteria are suspected
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for your infection.
Allergic pink eye
Remove allergen. Pink eye caused by an allergen (such as pollen or animal dander) usually improves by removing the allergen from the person’s environment.
Allergy medications and certain eye drops (topical antihistamine and vasoconstrictors), including some prescription eye drops, can also provide relief from allergic conjunctivitis. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a combination of drugs to improve symptoms. Your doctor can help if you have pink eye caused by an allergy.
Seeking medical advice
Although mild conjunctivitis may resolve without treatment, medical evaluation is needed to rule out potentially severe infections involving the cornea. If conjunctivitis is diagnosed and treated promptly, it usually clears without significant complications.
Treatment for conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with local application of antibiotic drops or ointment. Allergic conjunctivitis may be treated with antihistamine eye drops or ointment. Most viral conjunctivitis usually needs no treatment. If the eye infection is caused by the herpes virus, the cornea will also be involved. This rare condition requires therapy with the antiviral drug acyclovir.
If a newborn has conjunctivitis, the doctor will remove some cells from the lining of the eyelid and grow them in a culture medium to determine the exact cause, so that appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
Never use ointments containing corticosteroids against conjunctivitis without consulting a doctor. They may relieve symptoms dramatically when the condition is due to allergy, but in some bacterial and viral infections of the eye, they aggravate the disease and cause irreversible damage.
How to give eye drops to children
Children and babies are commonly affected by conjunctivitis. Giving them prescribed eye drops or ointment can be challenging.
- Lay the child face-up on a flat surface.
- If necessary, get someone to help hold the child’s head still.
- Ask the child to look up. To get an infant to look up, dangle a colorful object over the top of the head.
- Use one hand to pull the eyelid down.
- Rest the hand holding the dropper or tube on the child’s forehead to reduce movement.
- Turn your wrist so that the dropper or tube is over the eye and release the prescribed amount of medicine into the space between the eyeball and the eyelid.
- Instruct the child to keep her lids closed for a few seconds.
- Place eyedrops in the inner corner of an infant’s eyes if they are tightly closed. The medicine will flow into the eye when the eyelids open.
- Wait until an extremely resistant baby goes to sleep to apply ointment. Pull down the lower lid and place the ointment on its inner surface.
First aid treatment for conjunctivitis at home:
1. Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash Your Hands: Before and after touching the affected eye, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent spreading the infection.
- Avoid Touching/Rubbing the Eyes: Rubbing can worsen irritation and may spread the infection to the other eye.
2. Clean the Eye
- Prepare a Clean Compress:
- Use a clean, lint-free cloth or gauze.
- Soak it in clean, lukewarm water (or boil water and let it cool).
- Wring out any excess water.
- Wipe Gently: Start at the inner corner of the eye and wipe outward. Use a separate section of the cloth or a new gauze swab for each wipe. This helps remove crusts or discharge without further irritating the eye.
3. Soothe the Eye
- Cold Compress: Applying a cold, damp compress to the affected eye for about 5–10 minutes can help relieve discomfort, reduce swelling, and ease irritation. Repeat this a few times a day if necessary.
- Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) can help flush out irritants and soothe dryness in non-severe cases. Always follow the package instructions.
4. Manage Contact Lenses and Makeup
- Avoid Contact Lenses: Do not wear contact lenses until the infection has completely resolved to prevent further irritation and avoid reinfection.
- Stop Using Eye Makeup: Discontinue eye makeup while symptoms persist, and discard any contaminated products to prevent reoccurrence.
5. Monitor and Seek Medical Attention
- Watch for Worsening Symptoms: If you notice increasing pain, significant changes in vision, or if symptoms do not improve after a few days, it is important to seek professional medical advice.
- Special Considerations for Children: If an infant or young child shows signs of conjunctivitis (such as yellow discharge, swollen eyelids, or significant redness), consult a healthcare provider promptly.
REFERENCES
- Baba I. The red eye – first aid at the primary level. Community Eye Health. 2005 Mar;18(53):70-2. PMID: 17491745; PMCID: PMC1705661.
- Dr Lynn Thomas, Conjunctivitis, 28 April 2025, https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/minor-illnesses-and-injuries/Conjunctivitis/
- Melanie L. Pitone, How to Handle Pinkeye, reviewed: July 2022, https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pinkeye-sheet.html
- John Furst, First Aid Treatment for Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), July 2, 2018,
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