Pink eye usually clears up on its own within 7 to 14 days, but what you should do depends on which type you have. Viral pink eye, the most common form, needs only comfort care at home. Bacterial pink eye may require antibiotic eye drops. Allergic pink eye responds best to antihistamine drops. Knowing which type you’re dealing with helps you treat it faster and avoid spreading it to others.
Figure Out Which Type You Have
The three main types of pink eye look and feel different, though there is overlap that can make it tricky to tell them apart.
Viral pink eye usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other within a day or two. The discharge is watery and clear. Your eyes will be red and irritated, and you may have cold-like symptoms at the same time. This is the most contagious form.
Bacterial pink eye produces thick, yellow or greenish discharge that can mat your eyelids shut overnight. You may notice more swelling around the eye, and the discharge tends to come back throughout the day even after you wipe it away.
Allergic pink eye almost always affects both eyes at once, and the hallmark symptom is intense itching. You’ll likely have other allergy symptoms too: sneezing, runny nose, or watery eyes. This type isn’t contagious at all.
Home Care That Works for All Types
Cold compresses and artificial tears are the foundation of pink eye relief regardless of the cause. The CDC recommends both as first-line comfort measures. Apply a clean, cold washcloth to your closed eyes for a few minutes several times a day to bring down swelling and soothe irritation. Preservative-free artificial tears, available over the counter, help with the dryness and gritty feeling.
Use a fresh washcloth each time you compress, or use a different section of the cloth for each eye. If you’re wiping away discharge, use a clean wet washcloth or a fresh cotton ball, then throw the cotton ball away immediately. Wash used cloths in hot water and detergent before reusing them.
Treating Viral Pink Eye
There’s no medication that kills the virus causing your pink eye. Like a common cold, it has to run its course. Most mild cases resolve in 7 to 14 days without treatment. Some cases take 2 to 3 weeks or longer, particularly if the infection is caused by certain more persistent viruses.
Your job during this time is to keep your eyes comfortable with cold compresses and artificial tears, avoid wearing contact lenses, and prevent spreading it to other people. Antibiotics will not help viral pink eye, and using them unnecessarily can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Treating Bacterial Pink Eye
Bacterial pink eye often improves on its own too, but antibiotic eye drops or ointment can shorten the illness and reduce the risk of complications. If you see thick, colored discharge that keeps coming back, it’s worth visiting a doctor to get a prescription. You’ll typically use the drops for about a week, and most people notice improvement within the first two to three days.
Even after you start feeling better, finish the full course your doctor prescribes. Stopping early can let the infection return.
Treating Allergic Pink Eye
Since allergic pink eye is driven by your immune system’s reaction to pollen, dust, or pet dander, the goal is to block that reaction. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops are the most effective option. Ketotifen (sold as Zaditor or Alaway) is one of the most widely recommended: one drop every 8 to 12 hours. Olopatadine (sold as Patanol) is another option, used twice daily with 6 to 8 hours between doses.
Combination drops containing naphazoline and pheniramine (like Naphcon-A or Opcon-A) reduce both redness and itching, but they shouldn’t be used for more than 72 hours. Prolonged use can cause rebound redness, where your eyes become even redder when you stop. For ongoing seasonal allergies, ketotifen is safer for extended use.
How to Stop It From Spreading
Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily through direct contact and contaminated surfaces. The single most important thing you can do is wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after touching your face or applying eye drops. If you don’t have access to soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol works.
Beyond handwashing, follow these rules while you’re infected:
- Don’t touch your eyes with your fingers. If you must, wash your hands immediately before and after.
- Don’t share personal items like towels, pillowcases, washcloths, eye drops, makeup, or glasses.
- Wash bedding and towels frequently in hot water and detergent.
- Use separate eye drop bottles for your infected and uninfected eyes if only one eye is affected.
- Stay out of swimming pools until the infection clears.
If you live with someone who has pink eye, avoid using any of their personal items and wash your hands after any contact with them or surfaces they’ve touched.
What to Do About Contact Lenses
Stop wearing contact lenses as soon as you notice pink eye symptoms. Lenses can trap bacteria and viruses against the surface of your eye, making the infection worse and harder to clear.
Throw away any disposable lenses and the case you were using when symptoms started. These are almost certainly contaminated and no amount of cleaning makes them safe. If you wear reusable lenses, clean and disinfect them thoroughly before wearing them again: rub and rinse the case with fresh solution (never water), dry it with a clean tissue, and store it upside down with caps off. Don’t put your lenses back in until your symptoms are completely gone or your eye doctor gives you the green light.
When Pink Eye Needs Urgent Attention
Most pink eye is a nuisance, not an emergency. But certain symptoms signal something more serious that needs prompt evaluation:
- Vision changes or blurriness that don’t clear when you blink away discharge
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Pain with eye movement, not just surface irritation
- No improvement after several days of treatment
- History of eye injury or a foreign body hitting your eye before symptoms started
These red flags can indicate a corneal infection, inflammation inside the eye, or another condition that mimics pink eye but requires different treatment.
Pink Eye in Newborns
Pink eye in babies under 28 days old is a medical emergency, not something to treat at home. Newborns can pick up bacterial infections during delivery that look like ordinary pink eye but can progress to serious complications, including corneal damage, bloodstream infections, and even meningitis. Babies born to mothers with chlamydia or gonorrhea are at particular risk, and the infection can spread to their lungs.
Any newborn showing red eyes, swelling, or discharge should be seen by a doctor immediately. Treatment varies depending on the cause but typically involves antibiotics, and in some cases, saline rinses to clear away discharge.
Returning to School or Work
There’s no single rule for when you can go back. The CDC’s general guidance is that if you don’t have a fever and your symptoms are improving, you may be allowed to return with a doctor’s approval. If your job or school involves close contact with others, it’s best to stay home while you still have active symptoms like discharge or significant redness. Children in daycare or school settings are often asked to stay home until the discharge has stopped, though policies vary by district.