How long does pink eye last? Signs, spread and when you need drops

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) can affect one or both eyes. Signs include:

• Pink or red color in the white of the eye
• Swollen eyelids
• Watery eyes
• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Itching, irritation or burning
• Discharge (pus or mucus), often with crusting when you wake up

The most common causes are viruses, bacteria and allergies. Chemicals, contact lenses or something stuck in the eye can also cause it.

Pink eye from a virus or bacteria spreads very easily. Pink eye from allergies does not spread.

• Viral pink eye: often clears in 7 to 14 days without treatment. Sometimes it takes 2 to 3 weeks or more. Antibiotic drops do not help it.
• Bacterial pink eye: when mild, it often clears in 2 to 5 days, but it can take 2 weeks to go away fully.
• Allergic pink eye: often gets better when you stay away from what you are allergic to.

For bacterial pink eye, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. They may help it clear sooner, lower the chance of problems, and keep it from spreading. They are more likely to be needed when there is pus or when your immune system is weak. But thick pus that keeps pouring from the eye can be a serious infection. It needs a doctor in person the same day.

Allergy eye drops can ease itching from allergic pink eye.

At home, cold compresses and artificial tears can ease redness and dryness. Stop wearing contact lenses until your symptoms are gone or your eye doctor says it is OK.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Try not to touch or rub your eyes.
• With clean hands, wipe away discharge a few times a day with a clean, wet cloth or a fresh cotton ball.
• Do not use the same eye drop bottle for an infected eye and a healthy eye.
• Wash pillowcases, sheets and towels often in hot water.
• Do not share towels, pillows, eye drops, makeup, contact lenses or glasses.
• Stay out of swimming pools.
• Throw away disposable contact lenses and cases you used while you had pink eye.

Ask your doctor when it is OK to go back to school or work. If you still have symptoms and you are in close contact with others, stay home.

See a doctor in person if you have pink eye with:

• Eye pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision that does not clear when you wipe away discharge
• A very red eye
• Symptoms that get worse or do not get better
• Bacterial pink eye that is not better after 24 hours on antibiotic drops
• A weakened immune system
• Pain or redness while wearing contact lenses
• Small blisters on or near the eyelid, or a rash on the tip of the nose
• A red eye and an autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

Get care the same day for swelling and redness around the eye with a fever, an eye that bulges out, or pain when you move your eye. These can be signs of an infection around the eye, which needs a doctor in person.

Also get care in person the same day for thick pus that keeps pouring from the eye. It can be a serious infection that can hurt your vision if it is not treated quickly.

If you had eye surgery recently and your eye gets very red or painful, or your vision gets worse, call your eye doctor right away.

A newborn with pink eye should see a doctor right away. An eye injury or a chemical splash needs emergency care.

Go to the emergency room right away if you suddenly have very bad eye pain with an upset stomach or blurry vision. This can be a type of glaucoma that can cause blindness in a few days.

If you are in Virginia or West Virginia, you can start a pink eye visit online at any time. It is for adults and for children 4 and older (with a parent or legal guardian) who have a red eye with drainage or crusting. It is not the right fit if you have:

• Eye pain that is more than mild
• Sensitivity to light
• Any change in your vision
• Pain or redness while wearing contact lenses
• Thick pus that keeps pouring from the eye
• Small blisters on or near the eyelid, or a rash on the tip of the nose
• Recent eye surgery
• An autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• An eye injury or a chemical splash
• Any of the same-day or emergency signs above

You answer a few questions and can send a clear photo of your eye. There is no video call. A board-certified physician reviews your answers. If eye drops are right for you, the doctor can send a prescription to your pharmacy. If you need to be seen in person, the doctor will tell you.

Visits start at $59. You see the price before you pay, and you do not need insurance. A basic work or school note can be included if the doctor thinks it is right.