Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent layer of tissue that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. When this becomes inflamed, the small blood vessels in it become more visible, giving the eye its characteristic red or pink appearance — hence the common name pink eye. It can affect one or both eyes.

Conjunctivitis is very common and has several causes, broadly grouped into infective (caused by viruses or bacteria) and allergic (caused by a reaction to allergens like pollen). There is also irritant conjunctivitis, from things like chlorine or a stray eyelash. While it can be uncomfortable and infective types can spread to others, conjunctivitis is usually not serious and most cases settle without affecting vision.

Symptoms

Conjunctivitis symptoms can affect one or both eyes and vary slightly depending on the cause. Common symptoms include:

• •Redness or pinkness in the white of the eye
• •A gritty, burning or itchy feeling
• •Watering eyes
• •A sticky coating on the eyelashes, especially after sleep (more with bacterial types)
• •Swollen or puffy eyelids
• •Sensitivity to light in some cases

Types and causes

Identifying the likely cause helps guide care, as different types are managed differently. The main types are:

• •Viral conjunctivitis — often with a watery discharge, frequently alongside a cold; contagious
• •Bacterial conjunctivitis — often with a stickier, yellow-green discharge; contagious
• •Allergic conjunctivitis — itchy, watery eyes, often both, with other allergy symptoms; not contagious
• •Irritant conjunctivitis — from chlorine, smoke, fumes or a foreign body; not contagious

Treatment and self-care

Most cases of infective conjunctivitis clear up on their own within a couple of weeks without specific treatment. Self-care can ease symptoms in the meantime: gently cleaning the eyelids with cooled boiled water and cotton wool to remove stickiness, using a cool compress, and avoiding contact lenses until the eye is better. Lubricating eye drops from a pharmacy can soothe irritation.

For allergic conjunctivitis, avoiding the trigger where possible and using antihistamine eye drops or tablets helps. A pharmacist can advise on suitable products for both infective and allergic types. Antibiotic eye drops are not usually needed for most infective conjunctivitis, but may be prescribed in certain cases by a doctor. Because some causes of a red eye are more serious, it is important to know when to seek medical advice rather than assuming it is simple conjunctivitis.

Is conjunctivitis contagious?

Infective conjunctivitis — both viral and bacterial — is contagious and can spread easily from person to person, and from one eye to the other. It spreads through contact with the discharge from an infected eye, whether directly or via hands, towels, flannels or shared items. Allergic and irritant conjunctivitis, by contrast, are not contagious, as they are reactions rather than infections.

If you have infective conjunctivitis, simple hygiene measures reduce the spread: washing your hands regularly, especially after touching your eyes, not sharing towels, flannels or pillows, and avoiding rubbing your eyes. It is generally not necessary to stay off work or school unless feeling unwell, though policies vary and it is worth checking, particularly for outbreaks in settings like nurseries.

Because it is easy to pass on, taking these precautions protects those around you while the infection clears. Most infective conjunctivitis resolves within a week or two, after which the contagious period ends. Knowing whether your conjunctivitis is infective or allergic helps you take the right precautions — and a pharmacist or doctor can help you tell the difference if you are unsure.

Conjunctivitis in babies and newborns

Conjunctivitis can affect babies, including newborns, and in the very young it warrants particular care. A newborn baby with red, sticky or watering eyes should always be seen by a doctor promptly, as conjunctivitis in the first few weeks of life can occasionally be due to infections that need specific treatment, and a baby's eyes are especially precious and vulnerable.

In older babies and children, conjunctivitis is common and usually mild, often spreading easily in nurseries and schools. The same gentle self-care applies — cleaning the eyelids with cooled boiled water to remove stickiness — and good hygiene helps limit spread among children. A pharmacist or doctor can advise on suitable care for a child's age.

For any baby or child, it is worth seeking advice if there is significant redness, swelling, pain, light sensitivity, or if the child seems unwell, rather than assuming it is simple conjunctivitis. While most cases are minor and clear up well, the cautious approach with the very young ensures that the less common situations needing treatment are not missed.