What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as 'pink eye' or 'sticky eye' is a common condition. The white part of your eye becomes pink or red.

Conjunctivitis affects people of all ages. Bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children, and viral conjunctivitis is more common in adults. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be highly contagious.

It's important that a doctor, optometrist or pharmacist diagnoses the cause to determine if treatment is needed.

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

The main symptom of conjunctivitis is red or pink eyes, often with itching, watering or discomfort.

If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, you may also have yellow or green sticky discharge from the eyes. This can make your eyelids stick together, especially when you wake up from sleep.

If you have viral conjunctivitis, one or both eyes might be affected, and the discharge is likely to be clear.

If you have allergic conjunctivitis, both eyes are usually affected with a clear discharge. You might also have hay fever symptoms, such as an itchy nose, watery eyes and sneezing. Symptoms can be all year round or at certain times of the year (seasonal).

If you have conjunctivitis, you might also:

• have puffy eyes
• have a gritty feeling in one or both eyes
• have itchy or burning eyes
• be sensitive to light

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What causes conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis can be caused by:

• bacterial infection
• viral infection
• allergies
• irritants such as dust or chemicals

Allergic conjunctivitis may be seasonal, or triggered by specific allergens, for example, pollen or animal dander.

Can I catch conjunctivitis?

You can catch conjunctivitis from droplets from the eyes, mouth and throat of an infective person. This can happen through touch, coughing or sneezing. You can also catch it from contact with objects that were contaminated with infectious eye secretions, such as towels, face washers and tissues.

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to allergens such as:

• dust mites
• pollen
• animal dander
• mould spores
• occasionally foods or food additives

Allergic conjunctivitis isn't contagious so it can't spread from person to person.

How is conjunctivitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and will examine you, especially your eyes.

They might also take a sample of the discharge from your eye.

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When should I see my doctor?

If you have symptoms of conjunctivitis and your eyes don't start to feel better after 1-2 days see your doctor, pharmacist or optometrist.

If you have vision loss or pain see a doctor or optometrist straight away.

Red, sore eyes can occasionally be a sign of a more serious problem.

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When to seek urgent care

See your doctor promptly or go to the hospital if:

• you have a sudden change in vision
• you have eye pain
• light makes your eyes hurt

These may be signs of a more serious problem.

How is conjunctivitis treated?

Conjunctivitis may clear up by itself. If it doesn't, your treatment will depend on the cause.

Antibiotic drops or ointments do not help viral, allergic or irritative conjunctivitis. Viral infections may improve without special treatment.

Self-care at home

Tips to help relieve your symptoms and prevent infection:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes.
• Wash your eye gently several times a day with clean cotton wool pad soaked in warm tap water.
• Use a new cotton wool pad for each eye, to prevent passing the infection into your other eye.
• Gently clean any eye discharge from your eye area. Always wipe from the corner of the eye (nearest the nose) outwards.
• If you wear contact lenses and have an infection, throw out your lenses. Wear glasses for at least a week after your symptoms have disappeared.
• Throw out any eye makeup or eyelash extensions used right before or during an eye infection.

Should I keep my child home from school?

Yes, until the discharge (pus) from their eyes has stopped — unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

Here's a list of common childhood illnesses, including conjunctivitis, and their recommended exclusion periods.

Medicines for conjunctivitis

Bacterial infections may require antibiotic eye drops or ointment. It's important to keep applying the medicine for several days after your symptoms have improved.

Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine eye drops or tablets. Some nasal sprays for hay fever are also helpful. Sometimes your doctor might suggest tests to help you find the allergic trigger.

Can conjunctivitis be prevented?

Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious. To help stop the spread of infectious conjunctivitis to other people you should:

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Do not touch your face.
• Wash your hands before and after touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
• Not share face washers, towels or make-up with anyone else.
• Ensure towels, face washers and bed linen are washed regularly and dried in sunlight if possible.

Complications of conjunctivitis

Most people who have conjunctivitis recover within 2-5 days. Rarely, complications can occur which include:

• dry eyes
• corneal ulcer (keratitis)

Resources and support

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has information on conjunctivitis in languages other than English.

If you need advice on what to do for conjunctivitis, call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.