Patient Basics: Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye (pinkeye, or conjunctivitis) is swelling of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. It makes the eye look pink or red and often causes itching, tearing or sticky discharge. Most cases come from a virus and get better on their own in 1 to 2 weeks. Pink eye from viruses and bacteria spreads easily, so hand washing is the best way to keep it from going around a home or classroom.

Key points

• Viruses cause most pink eye. Antibiotics don’t help viral pink eye.
• Bacterial pink eye usually causes thick yellow or green discharge and is more common in children.
• Allergic pink eye causes itchy, watery eyes in both eyes and isn’t contagious.
• Eye pain, blurry vision, strong sensitivity to light, or pink eye in a newborn needs a doctor quickly.
• Contact lens wearers should stop wearing lenses and see an eye doctor.

What causes pink eye

• Viruses. The most common cause, often the same viruses that cause colds. It usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other within days, with watery discharge and a gritty feeling.
• Bacteria. Common germs from the skin, nose or throat. It causes thicker yellow or green discharge that can glue the eyelids shut in the morning. It often comes with an ear infection in young children.
• Allergies. Pollen, pet dander, dust mites or mold. Both eyes itch and water, often with sneezing and a runny nose.
• Irritants. Smoke, pool chlorine, fumes or a chemical splash.
• Contact lenses. Sleeping in lenses or poor lens care can lead to infection or a reaction to the lens.
• Sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect the eye in adults, and in newborns during birth. These need prompt antibiotic treatment.

Pink eye symptoms

• Pink or red color in the white of the eye
• Swollen eyelids
• Tearing, or discharge that is watery, stringy, or thick and yellow-green
• Crusts on the lashes, especially after sleep
• Itching, burning or a feeling that something is in the eye
• Mild sensitivity to light

Pink eye should not cause real pain or change how well you see once you blink away the discharge. Those signs point to a more serious eye problem.

Is pink eye contagious?

Viral and bacterial pink eye are very contagious. They spread when someone touches an infected eye, then touches a doorknob, towel, pillowcase or another person. Viral pink eye can spread for as long as the eye is red and tearing, sometimes up to 2 weeks. Bacterial pink eye usually stops spreading about 24 hours after antibiotics start. Allergic and irritant pink eye are not contagious.

Children don’t always need to stay home from school or child care, but follow your school’s rules. Keep a child home if they have a fever or can’t avoid touching their eyes and other children.

How it’s diagnosed

A doctor can usually tell the cause from your symptoms and a look at the eye. They may check your vision and use a light or a special dye to look at the surface of the eye. A swab of the discharge is sent to a lab only in some cases, such as severe infection, newborns, or pink eye that doesn’t get better.

How to treat pink eye

Viral pink eye

• Cool, damp washcloths on closed eyes several times a day
• Artificial tears to soothe irritation
• Gently clean discharge from the lashes with a clean, wet cloth, wiping from the inner corner out

It often gets worse for the first 3 to 5 days, then slowly clears over 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes 3. Antibiotic drops won’t speed it up.

Bacterial pink eye

Mild cases often clear on their own within a week. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment, such as polymyxin B-trimethoprim or erythromycin ointment, can shorten the illness and the time it spreads. Use them for the full time prescribed. Contact lens wearers need drops that cover the germs common with lenses.

Allergic pink eye

Antihistamine eye drops, such as ketotifen or olopatadine, ease itching. Cool compresses and allergy pills help too. Try to avoid the trigger, and rinse your eyes and wash your face after being outdoors.

Tips for everyone

• Don’t wear contact lenses until your eyes are clear. Throw away the lenses and case you were using.
• Throw away eye makeup and applicators used while you were sick.
• Avoid “get the red out” drops. They can make redness come back worse.
• Don’t use leftover eye drops or someone else’s, especially steroid drops, unless an eye doctor tells you to.

Keeping pink eye from spreading

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after touching your eyes or face.
• Don’t share towels, washcloths, pillowcases, eye drops or makeup.
• Wash pillowcases and towels in hot water.
• Avoid swimming pools until the infection clears.

When to see a doctor

• Pink eye in a baby under 1 month old (see a doctor right away)
• Moderate or severe eye pain
• Blurry vision that doesn’t clear with blinking
• Strong sensitivity to light
• A very red eye, or symptoms that keep getting worse
• Blisters or a cold sore near the eye
• You wear contact lenses or have a weak immune system
• Bacterial pink eye that isn’t better after 2 to 3 days of antibiotics, or viral pink eye that lasts more than 2 weeks

For a chemical splash, rinse the eye with lots of clean water for at least 15 minutes, then call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

Common questions about pink eye

Can pink eye damage your vision?

Common pink eye doesn’t harm vision once it clears. A few less common infections can, including gonorrhea, the herpes virus and infections linked to contact lenses, because they can scar the clear front of the eye. That is why pain, blurry vision or light sensitivity needs a doctor the same day.

Can pink eye go away on its own?

Yes, most of the time. Viral pink eye always runs its course without antibiotics, and many cases of mild bacterial pink eye clear in a week. See a doctor if there is pain, vision change, heavy discharge, or no improvement after several days.

How can I tell if pink eye is viral, bacterial or allergic?

Watery discharge with a cold suggests a virus. Thick yellow or green discharge that crusts the lashes suggests bacteria. Itching in both eyes, with sneezing or a known allergy, points to allergies. The signs overlap, so a doctor may need to look if you aren’t sure.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Is my pink eye caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy?
• Do I need eye drops, and how long should I use them?
• When can my child go back to school or child care?
• When can I wear my contact lenses again?

Learn more

• About pink eye (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Pink eye (MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine)

This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor. Last updated October 2026.