Most pink eye clears up on its own within a week or two. It is uncomfortable and it spreads easily, but it usually does not affect your vision. Go to an emergency room if you have eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that does not clear when you wipe the discharge away, intense redness, or a weak immune system. A newborn with pink eye needs care right away.
Most pink eye is viral and gets better on its own
Pink eye is swelling of the clear layer that covers the white of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. Viruses cause most cases. Bacteria, allergies, chemicals, contact lens products and eye drops can all cause it too.
The usual signs are redness, itching, burning, watering and discharge. It often starts in one eye and moves to the other.
Viral pink eye does not respond to antibiotics. It runs its course. Bacterial pink eye does need antibiotic drops or ointment.
See a provider if you have any of these
The CDC says to get medical care for pink eye when you also have:
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision that does not improve after you wipe the discharge away
- Intense redness in the eye
- Symptoms that get worse, or that do not start improving
- Bacterial pink eye that has not improved after 24 hours of antibiotics
- A weakened immune system, from illness or from treatment such as chemotherapy
Pain and light sensitivity matter most. Ordinary pink eye itches and irritates. It does not usually hurt. Real pain suggests something deeper in the eye.
A newborn with pink eye needs care immediately
If a baby in the first month of life has a red, watery or discharging eye, they need to be seen right away. Infections at that age can be serious and can threaten sight. Do not wait for morning and do not treat it at home.
Contact lens wearers need to be careful here
If you wear contacts and your eye is red and painful, take the lenses out and leave them out. Contact lens wearers have a higher risk of a corneal infection, which can damage vision quickly. Bring the lenses and the case with you so the physician can see what you have been using. If the eye is red and painful, come to us first rather than waiting on an ophthalmology appointment. We examine the eye the same day and refer you on if it needs a specialist.
A chemical splash is a true emergency
If something splashes into your eye, rinse it with clean water for 15 to 20 minutes, then come in immediately. Do not stop to look things up. Household cleaners, pool chemicals and industrial products can burn the surface of the eye within minutes.
The same goes for any injury to the eye, or anything stuck in it. Do not try to pull an object out yourself.
How to keep it from spreading
Infectious pink eye spreads easily. It moves through hands, towels, pillowcases and makeup.
- Wash your hands often, and after touching your eyes.
- Use your own towel and pillowcase, and wash them often.
- Throw away eye makeup used while infected.
- Do not wear contacts until the eye is clear.
- Clean glasses regularly.
What happens when you come to Life Savers ER
A board-certified emergency physician examines the eye, checks your vision, and looks for signs that the problem is deeper than the surface. If it looks bacterial, we can treat it during the visit. If it looks viral, we tell you that and save you an unnecessary antibiotic.
Because pink eye spreads, we get you into a room rather than leaving you in a shared space. We are open 24 hours a day, every day, and there is no wait.
Where to find us
Life Savers ER is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, at four locations:
- Willowbrook: 17685 TX-249, Houston, TX 77064
- Heights: 3820 N Shepherd Dr Ste A, Houston, TX 77018
- Summerwood: 12665 W Lake Houston Pkwy, Houston, TX 77044
- Sugar Land: 222 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Common questions
How long is pink eye contagious?
Viral pink eye can spread as long as symptoms last, often a week or two. Bacterial pink eye is usually much less contagious after 24 hours of antibiotic drops.
Can pink eye damage my vision?
Ordinary pink eye usually does not affect vision. Pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision suggests something else, and those need to be checked.
Do I need antibiotics?
Only if it is bacterial. Most cases are viral, and antibiotics do nothing for those.
When can my child go back to school?
After 48 hours on antibiotic drops, and once their temperature has stayed below 100.4F for at least 24 hours without ibuprofen or Tylenol.
Urgent care or the ER?
For simple redness and itching, urgent care or your doctor is fine. For pain, light sensitivity, vision changes, an injury, a chemical splash, a newborn, or a contact lens wearer with a painful eye, come to the ER.
Sources
CDC, “How to Treat Pink Eye”: https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/treatment/index.html
MedlinePlus, “Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)”: https://medlineplus.gov/pinkeye.html
