Overview

Pinkeye (also called conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear. If irritation or infection occurs, the lining gets red and swollen.

Pinkeye is very common. It usually isn't serious and goes away in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment.

Most cases of pinkeye are caused by:

• Infections caused by viruses or bacteria.
• Dry eyes from lack of tears or exposure to wind and sun.
• Chemicals, fumes, or smoke (chemical conjunctivitis).
• Allergies.

Viral and bacterial pinkeye are contagious. They spread very easily. Poor hand-washing is the main cause of the spread of pinkeye. Sharing an object, such as a washcloth or towel, with a person who has pinkeye can spread the infection.

Viral pinkeye

Viral pinkeye is often caused by an adenovirus, which is a common respiratory virus that can also cause a sore throat or upper respiratory infection. The herpes virus can also cause viral pinkeye.

Symptoms include:

• Redness in the white of the eye.
• Swelling of the eyelids.
• An itching or burning feeling of the eyelids.
• Swollen and tender areas in front of the ears.
• A lot of tearing.
• Clear or slightly thick, whitish drainage.

Viral pinkeye symptoms usually get better on their own in 7 to 10 days. But they may last up to 3 weeks and can become ongoing or chronic.

Pinkeye may be more serious if you:

• Have a condition that decreases your body's ability to fight infection (impaired immune system).
• Have vision in only one eye.
• Wear contact lenses.

If the pinkeye is caused by a virus, the person can usually return to day care, school, or work when symptoms start to improve. This most often takes 3 to 5 days. Medicines aren't usually used to treat viral pinkeye, so it's important to prevent the spread of the infection. Pinkeye caused by a herpes virus, which is rare, can be treated with an antiviral medicine. Home treatment of viral pinkeye symptoms can help you feel more comfortable while the infection goes away.

Bacterial pinkeye

An infection may occur when bacteria enter the eye or the area around the eye. Some common infections that cause pinkeye include:

• Staph infection.
• Streptococcal (strep) infection.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Symptoms include:

• Redness in the white of the eye.
• Gray or yellow drainage from the eye. This drainage may cause the eyelashes to stick together.
• Mild pain.
• Swelling of the upper eyelid. It may make the lid appear to droop (pseudoptosis).

Bacterial pinkeye may cause more drainage than viral pinkeye. Bacterial infections usually last 7 to 10 days without antibiotic treatment and 2 to 4 days with antibiotic treatment. The person can usually return to day care, school, or work 24 hours after an antibiotic has been started if symptoms have improved. Prescription antibiotic treatment usually kills the bacteria that cause pinkeye.

Red eye

Red eye is a more general term that includes not only pinkeye but also many other problems that cause redness on or around the eye, not just the lining. Pinkeye is the main cause of red eye. Red eye has other causes, such as:

• Foreign objects, such as metal or insects.
• Scrapes, sores, or injury to or infection of deeper parts of the eye (for example, uveitis, iritis, or keratitis).
• Glaucoma.
• Infection of the eye socket and areas around the eye.

Swollen, red eyelids may also be caused by styes, a lump called a chalazion, inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis), or lack of tears (dry eyes).

Self-Care

• Wash your hands often. Always wash them before and after you treat pinkeye or touch your eyes or face.
• Use moist cotton or a clean, wet cloth to remove crust. Wipe from the inside corner of the eye to the outside. Use a clean part of the cloth for each wipe.
• Put cold or warm wet cloths on your eye a few times a day if the eye hurts.
• Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup until the pinkeye is gone. Throw away any eye makeup you were using when you got pinkeye. Clean your contacts and storage case. If you wear disposable contacts, use a new pair when your eye has cleared and it is safe to wear contacts again.
• If the doctor gave you antibiotic ointment or eyedrops, use them as directed. Use the medicine for as long as instructed, even if your eye starts looking better soon. Keep the bottle tip clean, and do not let it touch the eye area.
• To put in eyedrops or ointment:
  • Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
  • Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
  • Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
  • Do not touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.
• Do not share towels, pillows, or washcloths while you have pinkeye.

Treating viral pinkeye in a child

Make your child comfortable

• Use moist cotton or a clean, wet cloth to remove the crust from your child's eyes. Wipe from the inside corner of the eye to the outside. Use a clean part of the cloth for each wipe.
• Put cold or warm wet cloths on your child's eyes a few times a day if the eyes hurt or are itching.
• Do not have your child wear contact lenses until the pinkeye is gone. Clean the contacts and storage case.
• If your child wears disposable contacts, get out a new pair when the eyes have cleared and it is safe to wear contacts again.

Prevent pinkeye from spreading

• Wash your hands and your child's hands often. Always wash them before and after you treat pinkeye or touch your child's eyes or face.
• Do not have your child share towels, pillows, or washcloths while your child has pinkeye. Use clean linens, towels, and washcloths each day.
• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.

Treating bacterial pinkeye in a child

Use antibiotics as directed

If the doctor gave your child antibiotic medicine, such as an ointment or eyedrops, use it as directed. Do not stop using it just because your child's eyes start to look better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics. If your child isn't able to hold still, have another adult help you with their care.

To put in eyedrops or ointment:

• Tilt your child's head back and pull the lower eyelid down with one finger.
• Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
• Have your child close the eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
• Keep the bottle tip clean. Do not touch the tip of the bottle or tube to your child's eye, eyelid, eyelashes, or any other surface.

Make your child comfortable

• Use moist cotton or a clean, wet cloth to remove the crust from your child's eyes. Wipe from the inside corner of the eye to the outside. Use a clean part of the cloth for each wipe.
• Put cold or warm wet cloths on your child's eyes a few times a day if the eyes hurt or are itching.
• Do not have your child wear contact lenses until the pinkeye is gone. Clean the contacts and storage case.
• If your child wears disposable contacts, get out a new pair when the eyes have cleared and it is safe to wear contacts again.

Prevent pinkeye from spreading

• Wash your hands and your child's hands often. Always wash them before and after you treat pinkeye or touch your child's eyes or face.
• Do not have your child share towels, pillows, or washcloths while your child has pinkeye. Use clean linens, towels, and washcloths each day.
• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
• Do not share eye medicine.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• Vision changes, such as blurred vision, loss of vision, or double vision.
• Pain or drainage that does not get better.
• New blood in the eye.
• New sensitivity to light.
• New signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pus, or a fever.
• Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

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