Pink Eye: Symptoms, Causes, Home Care, and When to Seek Medical Care
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is inflammation or irritation of the thin clear tissue that covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. It can cause redness, watering, itching, drainage, crusting, burning, or a gritty feeling in the eye.
Pink eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, irritants, or contact lens problems. Some cases are contagious, while others are not.
Common symptoms of pink eye
Pink eye symptoms may include:
Red or pink-looking eye
Watery eyes
Itching
Burning
Gritty or sandy feeling
Eye drainage
Crusting on lashes, especially after sleep
Mild swelling of the eyelids
Sensitivity to light
Feeling like something is in the eye
Symptoms may affect one eye or both eyes.
Common causes
Pink eye may be caused by:
Viral infection
Bacterial infection
Allergies
Dry eyes
Smoke, chlorine, or chemical irritation
Contact lens irritation
Foreign body or scratch
Eyelid inflammation
Exposure to someone with conjunctivitis
Contact lens safety
If you wear contact lenses, remove them and do not use them again until you have been evaluated or symptoms are fully resolved and it is safe to restart.
Seek medical care promptly if you have eye redness with contact lens use, eye pain, light sensitivity, vision changes, or discharge. Contact lens-related eye infections can become serious.
What to avoid
Avoid:
Rubbing the eyes
Sharing eye makeup or towels
Using old eye makeup
Wearing contact lenses during symptoms
Using leftover antibiotic eye drops
Using steroid eye drops unless prescribed
Putting anything in the eye not intended for eye use
Ignoring pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity
When to seek medical care
Schedule a medical evaluation if you have:
Thick yellow or green drainage
Eyelids stuck shut from drainage
Symptoms lasting more than a few days
Symptoms worsening instead of improving
Contact lens use
Eye redness with pain
Light sensitivity
Swelling around the eye
Recurrent pink eye
Recent eye injury
Possible chemical exposure
Weakened immune system
New rash or blisters near the eye
Uncertainty about the cause
When to seek urgent or emergency care
Seek urgent or emergency care for:
Eye pain
Vision changes
Severe light sensitivity
Trouble opening the eye
Severe headache with eye symptoms
Eye injury or suspected scratch
Chemical exposure to the eye
Foreign body in the eye
Swelling or redness around the eye that is worsening
Fever with eye swelling
Blisters or rash near the eye
Contact lens wearer with red, painful eye
Symptoms after trauma
Severe allergic reaction symptoms
Trouble breathing
Rapidly worsening symptoms
These symptoms may suggest a more serious eye condition that needs urgent evaluation.
Can telehealth help?
Yes. Telehealth can often help with mild eye redness or suspected pink eye by reviewing symptoms, photos, exposure history, drainage type, allergy symptoms, contact lens use, and whether treatment or in-person evaluation is needed.
Telehealth may not be appropriate for eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, contact lens-related symptoms, injury, chemical exposure, severe swelling, or symptoms near the eye that suggest a more serious infection.
Prevention tips
To reduce spread or recurrence:
Wash hands often
Avoid touching your eyes
Do not share towels, washcloths, makeup, or eye drops
Replace old eye makeup
Clean glasses regularly
Follow contact lens cleaning instructions
Avoid wearing contacts longer than recommended
Stay home if symptoms are contagious and drainage is significant
Treat allergies if they trigger symptoms
Final thought
Pink eye is common and often mild, but not every red eye is simple conjunctivitis. Eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, contact lens use, injury, chemical exposure, or swelling around the eye should be evaluated promptly.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, signs of infection, severe allergic reaction symptoms, trouble breathing, or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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