Pink eye is a common condition, especially in children. It is also called conjunctivitis. The eyes are pink because they are infected or irritated. They may be itchy and teary, with a watery discharge, and swollen, crusty eyelids. Doctors often prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments for pink eye. But antibiotics don’t usually help, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. They can do more harm than good. Here’s why: Antibiotics are not usually
necessary for pink eye. Pink eye is usually caused by a virus. Viral pink eye usually goes away on its own in a week or so. Antibiotics do not kill viruses. Pink eye can also be an allergic reaction to something like pollen, dust mites, pets, contact lenses, or cosmetics. This kind of pink eye gets better when you avoid the things that are causing the allergy. Antibiotics don’t
help allergies. A third type of pink eye is caused by bacteria. This can be helped by an antibiotic. However, mild bacterial pink eye almost always goes away within ten days without medication. Antibiotics can cause problems. Antibiotics can be a waste of money. Who should use antibiotics for pink eye? Know the symptoms of different kinds of pink eye. This report is for you to use when talking with your health-care provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk. © 2017 Consumer Reports. Developed in cooperation with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 10/2013 Bacterial conjunctivitis is often treated with prescription antibiotic eye drops. Viral conjunctivitis can sometimes be treated with antihistamine eye drops. Some people find relief from allergic conjunctivitis with over-the-counter eye drops. Others rely on prescription allergy medications. What Is Pink Eye?Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a condition where the conjunctiva becomes pink or reddish color. The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that covers a portion of the white of your eye and also lines the inside of your eyelids. When it becomes irritated, it causes swelling, and your eye appears pink or red. How to Treat Different Types of Pink EyeThere are three main types of pink eye: bacterial, viral, and allergic. COVID conjunctivitis is also possible. Common eye infections are often put into a single bucket, but it is helpful to realize that the causes may be quite distinct. Viral ConjunctivitisViral conjunctivitis usually goes away on its own, but symptoms may be relieved with over-the-counter artificial tears. Your doctor may also prescribe antihistamine eye drops to relieve itchiness and redness or anti-inflammation eye drops to reduce swelling. Viral conjunctivitis tends to get better in 3 to 10 days. Bacterial ConjunctivitisIf you have bacterial conjunctivitis, expect your healthcare provider to prescribe antibiotic eye drops. These antibiotic drops are fast-acting, and you can expect your symptoms to usually improve in a couple days. Avoid close contact with other people, especially during the first 24 hours of taking antibiotics. After that point, you are less contagious. Allergic ConjunctivitisAllergic conjunctivitis is often treated with anti-allergy medications. This can be in the form of oral medication or eye drops. An allergic reaction can cause the eye to be irritated, swell, and have a reddish color. Allergies may be from different substances, such as grasses, pollen, and/or dust mites. Allergy triggers can also be household cleaning supplies, perfumes, or lotions. There are four types of
allergic conjunctivitis:
Avoid contact with substances that trigger allergies as much as possible. COVID ConjunctivitisRecent studies show that pink eye may be a symptom of COVID-19. Patients with more severe cases of COVID-19 are more likely to have pink eye. Artificial tears can be used to keep the eyes moist and reduce irritation. Over-the-Counter Eye Drops for Pink EyeIf your pink eye is from a viral infection, artificial tears are the best over-the-counter option to relieve discomfort. These drops can keep the eyes lubricated and reduce burning and itchiness. If the eyes are well lubricated with artificial tears, you will be less likely to rub them, which can cause further irritation. If your pink eye is caused by allergies, over-the-counter allergy eye drops may help relieve symptoms. These are generally labeled as antihistamine eye drops. Eye Drops to Avoid if You Have Pink EyeAs tempting as it may be, do not use anti-redness eye drops when you have pink eye. Visine and other “get the red out” eye drops can irritate your eyes further. If you only have pink eye in one eye, do not use drops in the other eye. This may inadvertently spread a bacterial or viral infection. Don’t share your eye drops with anyone else. Prescription Eye Drops for Pink EyeYour doctor may prescribe eye drops based on the precise cause of your pink eye. Antibiotic Eye DropsAccording to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, bacterial conjunctivitis is the most common type of bacterial eye infection. Antibiotic eye drops can relieve symptoms and shorten the duration of the infection. If you have allergic or viral conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops will not help. Ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tobramycin, and ofloxacin are commonly used antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis. Allergy Eye DropsBoth prescription and over-the-counter allergy eye drops may containantihistamines to control allergic reactions. This can help to reduce redness and itchiness. Common brands of prescription antihistamine eye drops include Optivar, Livostin, and Emadine. Some allergy eye drops contain decongestants or mast cell stabilizers. Steroid Eye DropsSteroid eye drops may contain steroids like prednisolone, which can reduce inflammation. Brands include Alrex and Flarex. When to See Your Doctor About Pink EyeIf you have an eye infection, you should see an eye doctor. Pain, swelling, redness, and pus draining from the eye are all symptoms. If you notice light sensitivity, this can indicate an eye infection as well. Since pink eye is highly contagious, it is prudent to see a doctor early. How to Use Eye Drops for Pink EyeAntibiotic eye drops work best when you follow your doctor’s instructions precisely. The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers these recommendations for how to put in eye drops:
Be sure to use the entire course of eye drops, as prescribed. It may seem tempting to stop if you feel better, but
medical experts advise taking the full dose. What if Your Pink Eye Doesn’t Go Away?Pink eye will generally go away within two weeks without treatment. If your pink eye doesn’t go away after this point or if it appears to worsen rather than improve on a daily basis, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist. It could be a sign that something else is going on with your eye. Dos & Don’ts With Pink EyeFollow these tips to ensure you don’t spread pink eye to your other eye or to others:
Pink Eye FAQsCan you get pink eye drops over the counter?You can get allergy or antihistamine eye drops over the counter to treat allergic conjunctivitis. Artificial tears are available over the counter, and these can relieve some symptoms associated with pink eye, such as irritation, itchiness, and redness. Do not use anti-redness eye drops if you have pink eye. What gets rid of pink eye fast?Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to expedite healing of viral pink eye. It is similar to a viral cold. If you have bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops will speed the healing process. Apply cold compresses and use artificial tears eye drops to relieve symptoms. What eye drops do doctors prescribe for pink eye?Antibiotics are typically prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops can help to reduce inflammation and redness associated with pink eye. Mast cell stabilizer eye drops may help to prevent or treat allergic conjunctivitis. Antihistamine eye drops can also treat allergic conjunctivitis. How can you tell the difference between bacterial or viral pink eye?Bacterial pink eye often triggers more redness than viral pink eye. There is frequently more discharge or pus with bacterial pink eye, whereas the eyes tend to water more with viral pink eye. Does bacterial pink eye require antibiotics?While antibiotic eye drops can speed the healing process, significantly reducing the timeline of contagion, most cases of bacterial pink eye will heal on their own without antibiotics. References
Note: This page should not serve as a substitute for professional medical advice from a doctor or specialist. Please review our about page for more information. What is the best over the counter medicine for pink eye?What is the best pink eye medication?. What gets rid of pink eye fast?If you're having bacterial pink eye symptoms, the fastest way to treat them is to see your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops. According to a review from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, using antibiotic eyedrops can shorten the duration of pink eye.
Can I get antibiotic eye drops over the counter?You can also buy the drops and the ointment from a pharmacy, without a prescription, if it is for conjunctivitis in an adult or in a child over 2 years of age. Do not use chloramphenicol eye drops or ointment for a child under 2 years old, unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
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Over the counter antibiotics for pink eye
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