Conjunctivitis

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the clear jelly-like layer over the surface of your eyes).

It can affect just one or both of your eyes and can be caused by a wide range of different things including viruses, bacteria or even allergies. The condition is temporary and usually clears up within 2–3 weeks depending on the cause. Treatments also vary depending on the cause.

Symptoms

The symptoms of conjunctivitis vary depending on the underlying cause, and you may experience a combination of different symptoms.

Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

  • Increased tear production
  • Feeling like a foreign body is in the eye(s) or an urge to rub the eye(s)
  • Itching
  • Irritation and/or burning
  • Pink or red colour in the white of the eye(s)
  • Swelling of the conjunctiva
  • Discharge (pus or mucus)
  • Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning
  • Contact lenses that feel uncomfortable and/or do not stay in place on the eye

Causes

Although you may be familiar with pink eye and conjunctivitis, you may not know that there can be multiple causes. From viruses to irritation from foreign objects to allergies, there are multiple different causes for the condition.

A red eye mid closed.

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type. It’s usually caused by the adenovirus, although other viruses can also cause it, and is most commonly seen in adults.

This type of conjunctivitis usually starts off in one eye but may spread to the other within a couple of days. It can occur alongside the symptoms of a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection. The eye discharge of viral conjunctivitis is usually thin and watery rather than thick or sticky.

Viral conjunctivitis is contagious and easily transmitted between eyes and from person to person.

Eye with crusty eyelid and yellow discharge.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of different bacterias getting into your eye. You’re more likely to experience a pus-like discharge and your eyelashes or eyelids might get crusty or stuck together, especially first thing in the morning.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious and can be passed from person to person and to your other eye if it only affects one.

Red and watery eye graphic.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Usually occurring in both eyes, allergic conjunctivitis is in reaction to allergies. Those who suffer from hayfever are usually familiar with this but it can happen if you touch your eye after touching something you’re allergic to such as a pet or food allergen.

This type of conjunctivitis usually produces intense itching, swelling, and watery eyes and can accompany other symptoms common with allergies like an itchy nose, sneezing, scratchy throat or asthma. It is not contagious.

Conjunctivitis caused by irritants

This type of pink eye is caused by irritants coming into contact with our eye. These can be things such as shampoo or chlorinated water, dust, or a loose eyelash rubbing against the eye. It’s also known as irritant conjunctivitis and is not contagious.

Diagnosis

If you’re experiencing symptoms of conjunctivitis, it’s recommended to see an optometrist, your GP, or a pharmacist. They will ask you some questions and take a look in your eyes to determine whether you have conjunctivitis and the next steps you need to take.

Treatment

Treatment options will depend on the cause of your conjunctivitis. If it is caused by an infection, you can expect your condition to get better in around 2-3 weeks. However, allergic conjunctivitis can be more long term.

Home remedies for conjunctivitis

There are some simple home remedies you can do to help ease your conjunctivitis – these are a good first step in tackling the condition and help you feel more comfortable.

  • Avoid wearing your contact lenses – If you wear contacts, they can irritate your eyes further. So avoid wearing them while you have symptoms and opt for your glasses instead until your symptoms have cleared up.
  • Use lubricating or moisturising eye drops to help soothe your eyes.
  • If your eyelids are sticky or crusty, wipe them clean with some cotton pads soaked in warm water that is cooled from boiling.
  • Use cool compresses – A soft, clean cloth or cotton pads soaked in cool water can help to sooth itching, interrupt histamine production (ideal for allergic conjunctivitis), and reduce swelling.
A woman administering eye drops to her eyes.

Antibiotic eye drops

You may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops if you have a severe case of bacterial conjunctivitis. Your doctor will make sure that they’re balanced against the risk of antimicrobial resistance and you will be given specific instructions to follow for the full course of eye drops.

Eye drops for conjunctivitis

Your local pharmacy will sell a variety of different eye drops that can be used to soothe symptoms of conjunctivitis. Speak to the pharmacist to find the right drops for you.

Close up of antihistamine, allergy pills, on a table.

Antihistamines

Allergic conjunctivitis can be eased by the regular use of antihistamines which can be easily purchased from any pharmacy. If this doesn’t help, consult your optometrist who will be able to recommend suitable eye drops or refer you to a GP depending on your symptoms and severity.

Moisturising eye drops

Irritant conjunctivitis can be caused by debris in the eye but can also be caused by dry eye syndrome – a condition where your eyes stop producing tears of sufficient quality or quantity. Moisturising eye drops can help to lubricate your eyes and prevent your conjunctiva from becoming irritated.

A doctor examining a child's eyes.

Treatment for conjunctivitis in children

If your child has allergic conjunctivitis, their doctor may prescribe antihistamines to help reduce symptoms. These can take the form of pills, liquid, or eye drops. Painkillers such as ibuprofen may also be given to help ease their discomfort.

If the conjunctivitis is bacterial, they may be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection. Young babies and children can develop blocked tear ducts, which can lead to red, watery eyes and cause conjunctivitis which can be treated with a course of antibiotics.

Prevention

Conjunctivitis is itchy, uncomfortable, and can also be painful depending on how severe it is. So prevention is key to not contracting it but also to ensure you minimise the spread to others.

  • Don’t touch or rub your eyes.
  • Don’t share makeup or cosmetics with other people.
  • Regularly wash your hands with warm soapy water, especially after using the toilet.
  • Don’t share flannels, face towels, or pillows with others – and regularly clean the ones you do use.
  • Practise good eye hygiene by using eyelid wipes or cooled boiled water and cotton pads. Doing this can help to remove discharge and pollen from around your eyes which might be contributing to allergic conjunctivitis.
  • If you wear contact lenses, get in touch with your optometrist or contact lens optician for advice.

Takeaway

A common but uncomfortable condition, conjunctivitis rarely lasts longer than around 3 weeks. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious so make sure you are taking the correct measures to protect your family, friends, and co-workers from being at risk of catching it.

Keeping on top of good eye hygiene is a great way to prevent yourself from catching it and stop it from spreading. But if you do find yourself with itchy, red, and swollen eyes with discharge or pus, there are easily available treatments to help. If you suspect you have conjunctivitis, reach out to your local Leightons optometrist for advice.

FAQs

When it comes to infectious types of conjunctivitis, as long as you have discharge from your eye, your conjunctivitis is still contagious. Avoid sharing towels, pillows, flannels, eye drops, cotton pads, and tissues with others and wash your hands regularly. You may need to call sick into work until it clears up as it spreads through moisture droplets.

Conjunctivitis can come on quite suddenly so you might find that you have woken up with sticky or crusty eyelids and lashes. It could be caused by getting an eyelash in your eyes overnight and your eyes are irritated as a result. Or contagious types spread through water droplets and close contact with someone so you could have caught it from a partner or from using their pillow.

Your first port of call if you suspect you have conjunctivitis should be your optometrist as it’s likely you will be referred to them by your GP anyway. If your optometrist deems it necessary, they will refer you to your GP for treatment if necessary.

If you have pain in your eye(s), sensitivity to light or blurred vision that does not improve when discharge is wiped from the eye(s), or intense redness in the eye(s), you should reach out to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by a thick, yellow-ish, pus-like discharge whereas the discharge from viral conjunctivitis tends to be clear and more watery.

While cold compresses can be used to help relieve itching, swelling, and redness, there is no evidence to suggest that a cold tea bag is better than cotton rounds (always make sure you use a new one for each eye) soaked in cool water.

Pink eye, when referring to the condition, is the same as conjunctivitis. However, you can have pink or red eyes without having conjunctivitis – usually due to inflamed or broken blood vessels under your conjunctiva – such as from irritants, high blood pressure, or injury to the eye. If you have any concerns about your eyes, book an appointment with your optometrist.

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