Pink Eye Treatment

Pink eye is common, contagious and usually mild. A video visit lets us see your eye on camera, sort out whether it is viral, bacterial or allergic, and help you get comfortable while it heals.

Become a Patient

A woman in a white sweater rubs her irritated eye with her fingertips.

Understanding Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer that covers the white of the eye and lines the eyelids. It makes the eye look pink or red and often causes discharge, itching or a gritty feeling. It is very common in children and adults alike. There are three main types. Viral pink eye is the most common and often comes with a cold. Bacterial pink eye tends to cause thicker yellow or green discharge. Allergic pink eye causes itching and watering in both eyes and is not contagious.

Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily through hands, towels, pillowcases and close contact, which is why they move quickly through homes, schools and childcare. Allergic pink eye is triggered by pollen, pet dander, dust or mold, often alongside sneezing and a runny nose. Irritants such as smoke, chlorine and chemicals can also redden the eyes. Contact lens wearers have a higher risk of a more serious infection of the cornea, so red, painful eyes in contact lens users need a closer look. In newborns, eye redness or discharge needs prompt evaluation because some causes can be serious.

Pink eye is well suited to video visits. Your provider can see the eye on camera, ask about symptoms, vision, contact lenses and exposures, and decide whether the cause is most likely viral, bacterial or allergic. Clear photos taken in good light can also help. Most viral pink eye clears on its own within 1 to 2 weeks, bacterial pink eye may be treated with antibiotic drops or ointment, and allergic pink eye often responds to antihistamine eye drops. For children, a parent or guardian joins the video visit. Certain warning signs need in-person eye care that day, and we will tell you plainly when that is the case.

Signs & Symptoms of Pink Eye

Pink or red eye. Redness in the white of one or both eyes is the hallmark sign.
Watery discharge. Clear, watery tearing is common with viral and allergic pink eye.
Thick discharge. Yellow or green discharge that returns after wiping points more toward bacterial pink eye.
Crusted eyelids. Lashes may be stuck together on waking, especially with a bacterial infection.
Itching. Strong itching in both eyes is a key sign of allergic pink eye.
Gritty or burning feeling. The eye may feel like something is in it.
Swollen eyelids. Mild puffiness of the lids is common.
Cold or allergy symptoms. A runny nose, sore throat or sneezing often comes along with viral or allergic pink eye.

What to Expect

A video visit where your provider looks at your eye on camera and reviews symptoms, contact lens use and exposures
A clear explanation of whether the cause looks viral, bacterial or allergic, and what that means for treatment
Comfort measures, and prescription eye drops or ointment when they are likely to help
Practical guidance on preventing spread at home, school, childcare and work
Plain advice about warning signs that need in-person eye care, and help deciding where to go

How We Treat Pink Eye

Assessment

By video, we look at the eye on camera in good light and ask about redness, discharge, itching, pain, vision changes, contact lenses, recent colds and allergies, and anyone else at home with symptoms. Photos can help. We also check for warning signs that call for an in-person eye exam.

Treatment Plan

Viral pink eye is treated with comfort measures such as cool compresses and lubricating eye drops. When a bacterial infection is likely, antibiotic drops or ointment may be prescribed. Allergic pink eye often improves with antihistamine eye drops and avoiding triggers. Contact lens wearers are asked to stop wearing lenses until the eye has healed.

Ongoing Care

We check in if symptoms are not improving as expected and help you arrange in-person eye care if it is needed. For repeat allergic pink eye, we can build a plan for allergy season. We also share steps that help keep it from spreading through the household.

Benefits

Care From Home

A video visit lets patients located in Utah get care without taking a contagious infection out of the house.

Care for the Whole Family

Children, teens and adults can all be cared for, with a parent or guardian joining video visits for children.

Clear, Honest Guidance

We tell you plainly when pink eye can be handled by video and when an in-person eye exam is the safer choice.

Your Recovery Journey

Video Visit (Day 1)

We look at the eye on camera, review symptoms and decide on a plan. If a warning sign is present, we help you find in-person eye care that day.

Days 2 to 5

Bacterial pink eye often improves within a few days of starting drops. Viral pink eye may get a bit worse before it gets better.

Weeks 1 to 2

Most viral pink eye clears within 1 to 2 weeks, though some cases take longer. If symptoms are not improving, reach out so we can reassess.

Preventing the Next Case

Good handwashing, not sharing towels or pillowcases, replacing eye makeup used during the infection and proper contact lens care help prevent spread and repeat infections.

Warning Signs That Need Prompt Care

Eye pain. Moderate or severe pain in the eye, rather than mild irritation, needs in-person eye care that day.

Vision changes. Blurred vision that does not clear with blinking, or any loss of vision, needs urgent care.

Light sensitivity. Strong sensitivity to light can signal a more serious problem than pink eye and needs in-person eye care that day.

Contact lens wearers with pain. Redness and pain while wearing contacts can mean an infection of the cornea and needs to be seen in person that day.

Eye discharge in a newborn. Redness, swelling or discharge in a baby in the first weeks of life needs prompt in-person care.

Swelling and redness around the eye with fever. This can signal an infection of the eyelid or eye socket and needs urgent care.

Injury or chemical splash. Rinse the eye with clean water right away and get emergency care.

A weakened immune system or no improvement. People with weakened immunity, or symptoms that are worse or not better after about a week, should be seen in person.

If you have a chemical splash or injury to the eye, sudden vision loss or severe eye pain, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

When to Reach Out

Most pink eye is mild and clears with simple care. If you are unsure, reach out through our contact page and we will help you decide what to do next.

Evidence-Based Treatment

Guidance from eye care experts notes that most pink eye in adults is viral and resolves on its own, so antibiotics are not routinely needed. Cool compresses, lubricating eye drops and careful hygiene are the mainstays of viral care. Bacterial pink eye is often mild and may also clear without treatment, but antibiotic drops or ointment can shorten the illness and are commonly used, especially in children. Contact lens wearers with a red eye often need an in-person eye exam because of the risk of a corneal infection. Allergic pink eye responds well to antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer eye drops, along with avoiding triggers and using cool compresses. Steroid eye drops should be used only under the care of an eye specialist. School and childcare policies vary. Children who feel well and can avoid close contact often do not need to stay home, while some programs ask that a child with bacterial pink eye start treatment before returning, so check your child's policy.

Common Questions About Pink Eye

Can pink eye be treated by video visit?

Often, yes. Pink eye is well suited to telehealth because your provider can see the eye on camera and ask about your symptoms. Visits are for patients located in Utah, and a parent or guardian joins for children. If you have eye pain, vision changes, strong light sensitivity, a newborn with eye discharge, or pain while wearing contacts, you need in-person eye care that day, and we will help you decide where to go.

Is pink eye contagious, and when can my child go back to school?

Viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious, while allergic pink eye is not. School and childcare policies vary. Children who feel well and can avoid touching their eyes and close contact often do not need to stay home, but some programs ask that a child with bacterial pink eye start treatment first. Check your school or childcare policy, and we can help you understand what applies.

Do I need antibiotic eye drops?

Not always. Viral pink eye, the most common type, does not respond to antibiotics and clears on its own. Antibiotic drops or ointment may help when a bacterial infection is likely, and antihistamine drops help allergic pink eye. Your provider will recommend what fits your symptoms.

Can I wear my contact lenses?

Not while your eye is red or irritated. Stop wearing contacts until your eye has healed and your provider says it is safe. Throw away disposable lenses worn during the infection, and clean or replace your lens case. If you wear contacts and have eye pain or blurred vision, get in-person eye care that day.

How do I keep pink eye from spreading?

Wash your hands often, especially after touching your eyes or using drops. Do not share towels, washcloths, pillowcases or eye makeup, and wash linens in hot water. Use a clean tissue each time you wipe discharge, and replace eye makeup used while you were sick.

Does insurance cover a pink eye visit?

Sagebrooke Family Medicine is an insurance-based practice, and we are in the process of joining insurance plans. Your cost depends on your plan, including any copay, deductible or coinsurance. Contact the practice to check whether your plan is accepted, and check with your insurer about coverage for eye drops and other medications.

Get Help for Pink Eye

Reach out through our contact page to ask about a video visit for pink eye, for children and adults located in Utah.