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Pink Eye

Patient receiving pink eye evaluation and care at NewView Eye Center
Close-up of an eye showing the redness of conjunctivitis

Understanding Pink Eye

Pink eye, medically called conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva — the thin, clear tissue that lines the white of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. When it becomes irritated or infected, tiny blood vessels become visible and give the eye its characteristic pink or red color.

The conjunctiva is constantly exposed to the environment, which makes it vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, allergens, and chemical irritants. Not all pink eye is the same, and not all of it is contagious — identifying the type is the first step toward the right care.

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Outdoor allergens are a common trigger for pink eye

Common Causes and Triggers

The cause of pink eye determines whether it is contagious, how quickly it can spread, and what treatment works best. Understanding the common triggers — and your own risk factors — helps you protect yourself and the people around you.

Types of Pink Eye

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01

Viral Conjunctivitis

The most common type, usually caused by the same viruses as the common cold. Watery discharge and redness; highly contagious and often starts in one eye.

02

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. Thick yellow or green discharge that crusts the eyelids, especially after sleep. Contagious.

03

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Triggered by pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mold. Intense itching in both eyes with redness. Not contagious, and it worsens with allergen exposure.

04

Chemical or Irritant

Smoke, chlorine, or cleaning products can inflame the eye, causing immediate burning, stinging, and tearing. Not contagious — rinse the eye right away.

05

Severe Bacterial Forms

Rare, serious infections linked to gonorrhea or chlamydia cause heavy discharge and need same-day care with systemic antibiotics, not just eye drops.

A young patient's eye affected by contagious pink eye

Is Pink Eye Contagious?

Whether pink eye is contagious depends entirely on what is causing it. Viral and bacterial forms spread easily from person to person through direct contact, contaminated surfaces such as towels and doorknobs, or respiratory droplets — which is why they move quickly through households, schools, and workplaces. Allergic and chemical pink eye, on the other hand, are not contagious at all. Knowing which type you have helps you take the right precautions and avoid spreading it to others.

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How We Treat
Pink Eye

The right treatment depends on the type of pink eye you have. Using the wrong approach — such as antibiotic drops for a viral infection — will not help and may cause unnecessary side effects.

Viral Pink Eye

Most cases clear on their own in one to two weeks. Cool compresses, artificial tears, and good hand hygiene keep you comfortable and limit spread.

Bacterial Pink Eye

Mild cases often resolve without antibiotics, but drops or ointment can shorten the course. Serious infections need immediate systemic antibiotics.

Allergic Pink Eye

Limiting allergen exposure is key. Antihistamine drops ease itching and redness, and mast-cell stabilizers help prevent the reaction before it starts.

Chemical Exposure

Flush immediately with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Strong alkalis need emergency care; any chemical exposure should be evaluated.

Home Care

Cool compresses, preservative-free artificial tears, frequent handwashing, and avoiding eye-rubbing support recovery for every type of pink eye.

Contact Lens Pause

Stop wearing contact lenses at the first sign of irritation and switch to glasses until your eye doctor confirms it is safe to resume.

Diagnosing Pink Eye

Our eye doctors can usually diagnose pink eye through a careful examination combined with a review of your symptoms and history. Most cases do not require laboratory testing.

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01

Eye Examination

We look closely at both eyes — even if only one appears affected — assessing the conjunctiva for redness, swelling, and discharge, and checking the cornea.

02

Symptom & History Review

We ask when symptoms began, about contact with anyone who had pink eye, contact lens use, allergies, and any recent respiratory illness.

03

Testing When Needed

Most cases need no lab test, but we may swab the discharge for severe, unusual, or non-responding cases, or when a serious cause is suspected.

04

Personalized Treatment Plan

Once we identify the likely cause, we match the right treatment to your type of pink eye, your symptoms, and your overall health.

Possible Complications

Most pink eye resolves completely, but in some cases complications can arise without prompt, appropriate care — expand each to learn more.

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Inflammation or infection can spread from the conjunctiva to the cornea, a condition called keratitis, causing more pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. If not treated promptly, corneal infections can lead to scarring that permanently affects vision.

Bacteria can become trapped between the lens and the cornea, accelerating tissue damage, and infections such as Pseudomonas can be aggressive. Contact lens wearers should switch to glasses at the first sign of irritation and never manage symptoms without an evaluation.

Pink eye in a baby less than one month old is considered a medical emergency. Newborns can acquire serious bacterial infections during birth that can damage the eye quickly, so any redness, swelling, or discharge in an infant should be evaluated without delay.

Patient recovering comfortably from pink eye with simple home care

Home Care and Prevention

Consistent habits both prevent pink eye and ease the discomfort of an active case. Frequent, thorough handwashing is the single most effective way to stop viral and bacterial pink eye from spreading to others.

Simple Home Care Steps

Wash Hands Often
Cool Compresses
Artificial Tears
Don't Rub Your Eyes
Pause Contact Lenses
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Severe pink eye symptoms that need same-day evaluation

When to Seek Immediate Care

Many cases of pink eye can be managed at home, but some symptoms need same-day attention: moderate to severe eye pain, blurred vision, significant light sensitivity, rapidly worsening redness or swelling, or copious yellow-green discharge that returns quickly. Contact lens wearers, newborns, and anyone who is immunocompromised or may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection should be seen promptly rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about pink eye and how NewView Eye Center can help.

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No, simply being in the same room is not enough to transmit the infection. It requires direct contact with discharge from an infected eye, touching a contaminated surface and then your own eye, or in some cases exposure to respiratory droplets at close range. Everyday interactions do not automatically put you at risk if you practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes.

We generally do not recommend redness-relieving drops for pink eye. They constrict blood vessels to mask redness but do not treat the underlying cause, and repeated use can cause rebound redness that makes the eye look worse. Preservative-free artificial tears are a better choice for comfort while the real cause is addressed.

Signs of improvement include gradually decreasing redness, less discharge, less morning crusting, and reduced discomfort over several days. If symptoms stay the same or worsen, contact us. Increasing pain, blurring vision, or greater light sensitivity are always reasons to reach out promptly rather than continuing to wait.

Do not wear lenses while you have active symptoms. Most eye doctors recommend waiting at least 24 hours after symptoms have fully resolved. Any lenses that were in your eyes when the infection began should be discarded rather than reused. Returning too soon increases the risk of reinfection or a more serious corneal complication.

Many cases of viral and mild bacterial pink eye do resolve on their own, but that does not mean you should ignore symptoms. Some serious infections will not clear without treatment and can worsen. Contact lens wearers, newborns, people with severe symptoms, and anyone with possible STI exposure should always be evaluated regardless of how mild it seems.

We recommend avoiding swimming while you have active pink eye. If your infection is contagious you risk spreading it in shared water, and pool chemicals or bacteria in natural water can worsen irritation and slow healing. Wait until symptoms have completely cleared, and wear well-fitting swim goggles once you resume.

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Find more information about our doctors, services, and technology that keep your eyes healthy and your vision at its best.

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