How you get rid of pink eye depends on what’s causing it. Most cases in adults are viral and clear up on their own within one to three weeks without medication. Bacterial pink eye typically needs antibiotic eye drops, while allergic pink eye responds to antihistamine drops. The key is figuring out which type you’re dealing with, then managing symptoms while it runs its course or treating the underlying cause.
Identify Which Type You Have
Pink eye falls into three main categories, and each one calls for a different approach. Viral pink eye is the most common type in adults. It usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other within a day or two. The discharge tends to be watery and clear, and your eyes may feel gritty or irritated. It often shows up alongside a cold or upper respiratory infection.
Bacterial pink eye produces thicker discharge that’s yellow or green. You may wake up with your eyelids crusted shut. It can affect one or both eyes and tends to feel more “goopy” than viral cases.
Allergic pink eye almost always affects both eyes at once and itching is the dominant symptom. You’ll likely notice it alongside other allergy symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose. The discharge, if any, is usually watery. This type is not contagious.
Viral Pink Eye: Wait It Out With Comfort Care
There is no medication that speeds up recovery from standard viral pink eye. Antibiotics do nothing against viruses, and using them unnecessarily contributes to antibiotic resistance. The infection needs to run its course, which typically takes one to three weeks. In rare cases involving herpes simplex or varicella-zoster viruses, antiviral medication may be prescribed, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.
While you wait, you can manage discomfort with a few simple steps:
- Cold compresses. Place a clean, cool washcloth over your closed eyes for a few minutes several times a day. This helps reduce inflammation and soothe irritation.
- Artificial tears. Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (not redness-reducing drops) help with the dryness and grittiness. Don’t share the bottle, and don’t use the same bottle between your infected and uninfected eye.
- Clean discharge regularly. Use a fresh, wet washcloth or cotton ball to gently wipe away any buildup around your eyes. Throw away cotton balls after a single use, and wash cloths in hot water with detergent.
Bacterial Pink Eye: Antibiotic Drops
Bacterial pink eye usually improves faster with prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Your doctor will choose a topical antibiotic based on your age and the suspected bacteria. For children, a combination drop effective against the bacteria most common in pediatric cases is often the first choice. Adults may receive a broad-spectrum antibiotic drop.
Treatment typically runs 7 to 10 days. You’ll generally start with more frequent application for the first day or two, then reduce to a few times per day for the remainder. Most people notice improvement within 24 to 48 hours of starting drops, though you should finish the full course. Mild bacterial conjunctivitis can sometimes resolve without treatment, but antibiotics shorten the illness and reduce the risk of spreading it to others.
Allergic Pink Eye: Block the Allergic Response
Since allergic pink eye is driven by histamine release from immune cells in your eyes, antihistamine eye drops are the most effective treatment. Several options are available over the counter, including ketotifen (sold as Zaditor) and olopatadine (Patanol), both used twice daily. These drops block histamine and also stabilize the immune cells that release it, providing both immediate and longer-term relief.
Avoiding the allergen is equally important. If pollen is the trigger, keep windows closed and shower after spending time outside. If pet dander or dust is the cause, minimizing exposure in your home will do more than any eye drop. Oral antihistamines can help too, especially if you’re also dealing with nasal symptoms, though they sometimes make dry eye worse.
Stop It From Spreading
Viral and bacterial pink eye are both highly contagious. You remain infectious as long as your eyes are tearing and producing discharge. The virus or bacteria spreads through direct contact with eye secretions, contaminated hands, or shared items. A few non-negotiable hygiene steps make a big difference.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after touching your face, applying eye drops, or cleaning discharge. If soap isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, even though the urge is intense.
Don’t share towels, pillowcases, washcloths, or eye makeup with anyone. Wash your bedding and towels frequently in hot water. If someone in your household has pink eye, wash your hands after handling any of their belongings.
Children can generally return to school once they no longer have a fever, can keep their hands clean, and can avoid close contact with classmates. Kids who can’t reliably do that should stay home until symptoms clear.
Contact Lenses, Makeup, and Reinfection
Stop wearing contact lenses the moment you suspect pink eye and switch to glasses until the infection fully clears. If you wear soft disposable lenses, throw away the pair you were using along with the case and any remaining contact solution. Start fresh with a new case, new solution, and a new pair of lenses once your eyes are healthy. Extended-wear or reusable lenses need thorough cleaning and disinfection as directed before you put them back in.
Toss any eye makeup you used in the days leading up to or during the infection, including mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. Makeup brushes that touched your eye area should also be replaced or deep-cleaned. Reusing contaminated products is one of the most common ways people reinfect themselves after pink eye clears up.
Signs That Need Prompt Attention
Most pink eye is uncomfortable but harmless. However, certain symptoms suggest something more serious is going on. Eye pain (not just irritation), blurred vision that doesn’t clear when you blink, intense sensitivity to light, or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye all warrant prompt evaluation. These can signal conditions like a corneal ulcer or inflammation inside the eye that require specific treatment to protect your vision.
Newborns who develop red, swollen eyes with discharge need immediate medical care. A serious form of pink eye in infants, called ophthalmia neonatorum, can threaten the baby’s sight if not treated quickly. If pink eye developed after a chemical splash and flushing with water didn’t resolve the irritation, seek care right away, especially if the substance was caustic.