Pink eye in adults usually clears up on its own within 7 to 14 days, but what you should do depends on which type you have. Viral, bacterial, and allergic conjunctivitis each look slightly different and call for different treatments. Figuring out which one you’re dealing with is the first step toward feeling better faster.
Identify Which Type You Have
The three main types of pink eye produce distinct symptoms, and recognizing yours helps you choose the right approach.
Viral pink eye is the most common form in adults. It often shows up alongside a cold, sore throat, or upper respiratory infection. The discharge tends to be watery rather than thick, and it frequently starts in one eye before spreading to the other. This is the type that simply needs time.
Bacterial pink eye produces a thick, yellow-green discharge that can mat your eyelids together overnight. You may notice significant eyelid swelling, pain, and sometimes blurred vision from the discharge coating your eye. This type typically needs prescription antibiotic drops or ointment.
Allergic pink eye almost always affects both eyes at the same time and causes intense itching. If you also have hay fever, asthma, or eczema, allergies are the likely culprit. The discharge is usually watery, and you’ll notice more tearing than crusting.
Treating Viral Pink Eye at Home
There’s no medication that speeds up viral pink eye. Like a cold, it has to run its course. Most mild cases resolve in 7 to 14 days, though some take 2 to 3 weeks or longer.
In the meantime, cold compresses and over-the-counter artificial tears are the two most effective comfort measures. The cold compress reduces inflammation and soothes the gritty, irritated feeling, while artificial tears wash away discharge and keep the eye lubricated. Apply the compress for 5 to 10 minutes a few times a day, using a clean cloth each time to avoid reinfecting the eye or spreading it to the other one.
Avoid the temptation to use leftover antibiotic drops from a previous infection. Antibiotics do nothing against viruses, and unnecessary use can cause irritation or contribute to antibiotic resistance.
When You Need Antibiotic Drops
Bacterial pink eye is the one type that benefits from prescription treatment. A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment, and most treatment courses last 5 to 10 days. Improvement usually begins within a day or two of starting the drops, but finishing the full course matters to prevent the infection from returning.
If you wear contact lenses, mention this at your appointment. Contact lens wearers face a higher risk of certain bacterial infections, and your doctor may choose a different antibiotic based on that risk.
Relieving Allergic Pink Eye
Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops work well for allergic conjunctivitis. Look for drops containing ketotifen (sold as Zaditor or Alaway) or olopatadine (sold as Pataday). These ingredients do double duty: they block the histamine causing your itching and stabilize the cells that release it, so they treat current symptoms while helping prevent new flare-ups.
Cold compresses help here too. Avoiding your known allergens, keeping windows closed during high pollen days, and showering before bed to wash pollen off your skin and hair can all reduce how much allergen reaches your eyes.
Contact Lens Rules During Pink Eye
Stop wearing your contact lenses as soon as symptoms appear, regardless of the type. Lenses trap irritants and bacteria against the surface of your eye, which can worsen the infection and potentially damage your cornea.
Throw away the pair you were wearing when symptoms started, along with any solution in your lens case. Disinfect the case itself or replace it entirely. Wait until your symptoms have fully resolved before putting in a fresh pair. If you’re on antibiotic drops, wait until you’ve completed the course. For allergy sufferers who deal with recurring episodes, daily disposable lenses are the best option because they eliminate allergen buildup from day to day.
How Long You’re Contagious
Viral and bacterial pink eye are both contagious, spread through direct or indirect contact with the fluid that drains from an infected eye. Viral pink eye is contagious for as long as your eyes are tearing and producing discharge, which can be the full 7 to 14 days (or longer). Bacterial pink eye becomes less contagious within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotic treatment.
Most workplaces don’t have formal return policies for pink eye the way schools sometimes do. As a practical guideline, you’re safe to return to work once your discharge has stopped or, in the case of bacterial pink eye, once you’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. If your job involves close physical contact with others, err on the side of staying home a bit longer.
Allergic pink eye is not contagious at all. There’s no reason to stay home from work for it.
Preventing Spread at Home
Pink eye spreads easily in a household, and a few habits make a big difference:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after touching your eyes or face.
- Use separate towels and washcloths. Don’t share pillows, pillowcases, or face towels with anyone in the house.
- Launder contaminated items in hot water and detergent: pillowcases, sheets, washcloths, and towels.
- Don’t share personal items like eye drops, makeup, makeup brushes, or eyeglasses.
- Clean your eyeglasses regularly, using a method that doesn’t contaminate shared surfaces like hand towels.
If you’re caring for someone with pink eye, wash your hands immediately after applying their eye drops or handling their bedding.
Symptoms That Need Prompt Attention
Most pink eye is a nuisance, not a danger. But certain symptoms signal something more serious. Significant eye pain (beyond the gritty, uncomfortable feeling), sensitivity to light, noticeably blurred vision that doesn’t clear after blinking away discharge, or symptoms that worsen after several days all warrant a prompt visit to an eye doctor. A severe form of viral conjunctivitis called epidemic keratoconjunctivitis can cause inflammation of the cornea and lead to vision loss if untreated.
Pink eye that develops alongside blister-like lesions near the eye may be related to the herpes simplex virus, which typically affects only one eye and requires specific antiviral treatment rather than standard pink eye care.