Pink Eye Treatment

Pink eye is caused by microorganisms and is exceptionally contagious. It spreads easily and quickly from person to person. Pink eye that is caused by allergens or irritants is not contagious. It is possible to build up a secondary infection caused by microbes, which is contagious.

A cool compress patted on your closed eyelids can alleviate some of the discomfort from allergic pink eye. To make a compress, soak a face cloth in water then wring it out. If you have contagious conjunctivitis in only one eye, don’t use the same material on both eyes so you won’t spread the infection from one eye to the next.

The greater part of bacterial conjunctivitis cases will clear up in one to two weeks without treatment. Using an antibiotic medication may speed up the healing process. Your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or ointment. Ointment may blur vision for up to 20 minutes after application.

With either type of medicine, anticipate that symptoms will start showing signs of improvement in a couple days. Listen to your doctor’s instructions and use the antibiotics for the total time frame prescribed. This helps keep the infection from coming back.

Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral prescription if your condition is caused by a herpetic virus.

Viral conjunctivitis frequently begins in one eye and after that infects the other eye within a couple days. Your symptoms will probably clear up as the virus runs its course during one to two weeks.

In the event that you have allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe a wide range of eyedrops for individuals with allergies. These may include:

Medicine that help control allergic reactions, such as a mix of antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers

Medicine that help control irritation, such as decongestants, steroids and cooling eyedrops

Most cases of pink eye are mild and show signs of improvement when left alone, even without treatment. In any case, there are times when it is critical to see your RI optometrist for specific treatment. You should contact your RI optometrist if you have pink eye alongside any of the accompanying symptoms:

Pain in your eye(s)

Sensitivity to light or blurred vision

Intense redness in the eye(s)

A debilitated immune system