What is pink eye?
Conjunctivitis — commonly called "pink eye" — is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear tissue lining the inside of the eyelid and covering the white of the eye. When that tissue gets irritated or infected, the small blood vessels inside it swell, giving the eye its pink or red appearance.
There are three main types and the treatment depends on which kind you have. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually starts in one eye, produces yellow or green sticky discharge, often crusts the lashes shut overnight, and responds quickly to antibiotic drops. Viral conjunctivitis is typically watery rather than thick, often follows or accompanies a cold or upper respiratory infection, may affect both eyes, and resolves on its own in 1–2 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis is itchy, watery, affects both eyes, and is paired with seasonal allergies or exposure to a known trigger.
Pink eye is extremely common — most adults will have at least one episode in their lifetime, and it's one of the top reasons for missed school and work days.
Do I have pink eye? Common signs
If most of these describe what you're experiencing, telehealth is a reasonable next step:
What causes it
Bacterial conjunctivitis is most often caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria transferred to the eye by touching it with contaminated hands, sharing a towel or pillow, or contact lens contamination. Viral conjunctivitis is most often caused by adenovirus — the same family of viruses that cause the common cold, which is why pink eye often shows up alongside a runny nose or sore throat. Allergic conjunctivitis is your immune system reacting to a trigger like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, or sometimes contact lens solution.
Is it contagious?
Yes — bacterial and viral pink eye are both very contagious. They spread by direct contact with eye secretions, contaminated hands, towels, pillowcases, eye makeup, or shared contact lens cases. People are usually contagious from when symptoms appear until discharge stops (or, for bacterial, after 24 hours on antibiotic drops). Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious — you can't catch it from someone else.
Pink eye is one of the most telehealth-friendly conditions in medicine — a clear photo and your story are usually enough.
Can it be treated online?
Pink eye is one of the most telehealth-friendly conditions in medicine. A licensed eye doctor can usually identify the type from your symptom history and a photo of the affected eye, then send the appropriate prescription directly to your pharmacy. The exception is when symptoms suggest something more serious — severe pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity that's worsening — in which case an in-person eye evaluation is necessary.
How pink eye is treated
Bacterial: antibiotic eye drops or ointment (commonly moxifloxacin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, or polymyxin-trimethoprim) for 5–7 days. Most people feel better within 24–48 hours of starting drops.
Viral: supportive care — cool compresses, artificial tears, and time. Antibiotics don't work on viruses. Most cases clear in 7–14 days.
Allergic: antihistamine eye drops like olopatadine or ketotifen, trigger avoidance, and sometimes a short course of mast cell stabilizers for chronic allergic conjunctivitis.
Self-care while you wait
- Wash hands frequently and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
- Use a clean washcloth and pillowcase every day until symptoms resolve
- Don't share towels, eye makeup, or contact lens solution
- Remove contact lenses and switch to glasses until cleared by your doctor
- Use cool compresses for 5–10 minutes a few times a day for comfort
- Throw out any eye makeup used during the infection — it's contaminated
How long does it last?
Bacterial cases usually improve within 24–48 hours on drops and clear in a week. Viral cases run 1–2 weeks and have to run their course. Allergic cases resolve once the trigger is removed or controlled.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my pink eye is bacterial or viral?
Bacterial pink eye tends to produce thick yellow or green discharge that crusts the eyelids shut overnight, and usually starts in one eye. Viral pink eye is more watery, often comes with cold-like symptoms, and is more likely to affect both eyes. A licensed eye doctor can tell the difference from your symptoms and a clear photo.
Will antibiotic drops help if my pink eye is viral?
No. Antibiotics only work on bacteria. Viral conjunctivitis has to run its course (typically 7–14 days), and treatment is supportive — cool compresses and artificial tears.
How long am I contagious?
Bacterial pink eye: until 24 hours after starting antibiotic drops. Viral pink eye: typically as long as you have symptoms, usually 5–14 days. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious at all.
Can I wear my contacts while I have pink eye?
No — stop wearing contacts immediately and switch to glasses until cleared. Throw out any lenses worn just before symptoms started, plus the case and current solution.
When should I worry that it's something more serious?
Severe pain, vision changes, halos around lights, light sensitivity worsening, or symptoms not improving after 2–3 days on antibiotic drops — those need in-person evaluation.
