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Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
7-minute read
Key facts
- Conjunctivitis is a common condition where the white part of your eye becomes pink or red.
- Conjunctivitis is also known as 'pink eye' or 'sticky eye'.
- One or both eyes may be watery, sore or itchy, sometimes with sticky white or yellow discharge.
- Conjunctivitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants such as dust or chemicals.
- Your doctor or optometrist can tell you the likely cause of your conjunctivitis, and the best treatment.
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as 'pink eye' or 'sticky eye' is a common condition. The white part of your eye becomes pink or red. The conjunctiva covers the white part of your eye.
Conjunctivitis can affect people of all ages. Causes include infection, allergy or irritation.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children, and viral conjunctivitis is more common in adults. Viral or conjunctivitis is highly contagious (easily spreads between people).
A doctor, optometrist or pharmacist can diagnose the cause and recommend a treatment.
What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?
The main symptom of conjunctivitis is red or pink eyes.
One or both eyes may also be itchy, watery or uncomfortable.
Discharge from your eyes can make your eyelids stick together, especially when you wake up from sleep.
If you have viral conjunctivitis, one or both eyes might be affected. Eye discharge is likely to be clear. You might have a burning feeling or itchy eyes.
If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, you may have yellow or green sticky discharge from your eyes. You might feel like your eyes are burning.
If you have allergic conjunctivitis, both eyes are usually affected with a clear discharge. You might also have hay fever symptoms, such as an itchy nose, watery eyes and sneezing. Symptoms can be all year round or at certain times of the year (seasonal).
If you have conjunctivitis, you might also:
- have puffy eyes
- have a gritty feeling in one or both eyes
- be sensitive to light
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What causes conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis can be caused by:
- a viral infection, such as adenovirus
- a bacterial infection
- allergies
- irritants, such as dust or chemicals
Allergic conjunctivitis may be seasonal or triggered by specific allergens, for example, pollen or animal dander.
Can I catch conjunctivitis?
You can catch an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. It can be spread in droplets from the eyes, nose, mouth or throat of another person. This can happen through touching, coughing or sneezing.
You can also catch it from contact with objects that are contaminated with infectious eye secretions, such as towels, face washers and tissues. You can also catch it from swimming pools.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to allergens such as:
- dust mites
- pollen
- animal dander (dead skin cells)
- mould spores
- foods or food additives (this happens occasionally)
Allergic conjunctivitis isn't contagious so it can't spread from person to person.
When should I see my doctor?
If you have symptoms of conjunctivitis and your eyes don't start to feel better after 1 to 2 days see your doctor, pharmacist or optometrist.
If you have vision loss or eye pain, see a doctor or optometrist straight away.
Red, sore eyes with a lot of coloured or thick discharge can occasionally be a sign of a more serious problem.
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When to seek urgent care
See your doctor promptly or go to the hospital if:
- you have a sudden change in vision
- you have eye pain
- light makes your eyes hurt
- there is a large amount of secretion or pus from your eyes
These may be signs of a more serious problem.
How is conjunctivitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and examine you. They will look carefully at both eyes.
They might also take a sample of the discharge from your eye.
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How is conjunctivitis treated?
Conjunctivitis often clears up by itself after a few days.
If symptoms continue, your treatment will depend on the cause.
Antibiotic drops or ointments do not help viral, allergic or irritative conjunctivitis.
Self-care at home
Tips to help relieve your symptoms and prevent infection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes.
- Wash your eye gently several times a day. Use a clean cotton wool pad soaked in warm tap water.
- Use a new cotton wool pad for each eye, to prevent passing the infection to your other eye.
- Gently clean any eye discharge from your eye area. Always wipe from the corner of the eye (nearest the nose) outwards.
- If you wear disposable contact lenses and have an infection, throw out your lenses. Wear glasses for at least a week after your symptoms have disappeared. If you wear other types of contact lenses check with your optometrist about what to do.
- Throw out any eye makeup or eyelash extensions used right before or during an eye infection.
Should I keep my child home from school?
Yes, children should stay home until the discharge (pus) from their eyes has stopped — unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
Here's a list of common childhood illnesses, including conjunctivitis, and their recommended exclusion periods.
Medicines for conjunctivitis
Viral infections often improve without special treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest antibiotic eye drops or ointment for a bacterial eye infection. It's important to keep applying the medicine for several days after your symptoms have improved.
Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine eye drops or tablets. Some nasal sprays for hay fever are also helpful. Sometimes your doctor might suggest tests to help you find the allergic trigger.
Can conjunctivitis be prevented?
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious. To help stop the spread of infectious conjunctivitis to other people you should:
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Wash your hands before and after touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
- Not share face washers, towels or make-up with anyone else.
- Ensure towels, face washers and bed linen are washed regularly and dried in sunlight, if possible.
What are the complications of conjunctivitis?
Most people who have conjunctivitis recover within 2 to5 days. Rarely, complications can occur, which include:
- dry eyes
- corneal ulcer (keratitis)
Resources and support
Visit the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital website to learn more about eye conditions.
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has information on conjunctivitis in languages other than English.
Read more about allergic conjunctivitis.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.