Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye is one of the most common eye problems we see in Upland, in both children and adults. Most cases are mild, but some need prescription treatment and a few signal something more serious. Our board-certified ophthalmologists can tell the difference and get you comfortable fast.
What Is Pink Eye?
Pink eye is the everyday name for conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear membrane that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. When its tiny blood vessels become irritated and swollen, the eye turns pink or red, waters, and feels gritty or itchy.
The Three Main Types
- Viral conjunctivitis: the most common type, usually caused by the same adenoviruses behind the common cold. It is very contagious, often starts in one eye and spreads to the other, and produces watery discharge. Like a cold, it runs its course over one to two weeks; treatment focuses on comfort.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis: produces thicker yellow or green discharge that can crust the lashes shut in the morning. This type often improves faster with antibiotic drops, which we can prescribe the same day.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: triggered by pollen, pet dander, or dust. Both eyes itch intensely and water. It is not contagious, and it responds well to antihistamine and anti-inflammatory drops.
Is Pink Eye Contagious? For How Long?
Viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious for as long as the eye is red and producing discharge, which can mean up to two weeks for viral cases. Careful hand washing, not sharing towels or pillowcases, and replacing eye makeup and contact lens cases prevent most spread. Children can generally return to school once discharge has stopped, or 24 hours after starting antibiotic drops when the cause is bacterial. If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them until the eye is fully clear, and discard the pair you wore when symptoms began.
When Pink Eye Is Not Just Pink Eye
Several more serious conditions imitate pink eye. See an ophthalmologist promptly, rather than waiting it out, if you have any of the following:
- Significant eye pain, not just irritation
- Blurred vision that does not clear with blinking
- Marked sensitivity to light
- Symptoms in a contact lens wearer (risk of corneal infection)
- A red eye after an injury or scratch (see corneal abrasion)
- Redness lasting more than two weeks
- A newborn with eye discharge, which always needs a doctor promptly
These signs can point to a corneal ulcer, iritis, or acute angle-closure glaucoma, all of which need medical treatment. This is the advantage of seeing an ophthalmologist, a medical eye doctor, rather than guessing at the pharmacy: we examine the eye under a microscope and treat the actual cause.
Pink Eye Treatment in Upland
Dr. Marc Shomer, MD, PhD and Dr. Robert Gunzenhauser, MD are board-certified ophthalmologists trained at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. We see urgent eye problems promptly at our Upland office, examine the eye under the slit lamp, and prescribe the right treatment the same day: comfort measures for viral cases, antibiotics for bacterial infection, and allergy drops for allergic conjunctivitis. Both doctors and our entire staff speak Spanish (se habla espanol). Related conditions we treat include red eye, dry eye, and styes and chalazia.
Answers from our surgeons.
How long is pink eye contagious?
Viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious as long as the eye is red and producing discharge, up to about two weeks for viral cases. With antibiotic drops for bacterial conjunctivitis, contagiousness drops sharply after 24 hours of treatment. Allergic pink eye is never contagious.
Do I need antibiotics for pink eye?
Only for bacterial conjunctivitis. Most pink eye is viral and antibiotics do not help it; allergic pink eye needs allergy drops instead. An ophthalmologist can tell which type you have with a microscope exam and prescribe the right treatment the same day.
When should I see a doctor for pink eye?
See an ophthalmologist promptly if you have eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, symptoms while wearing contact lenses, redness after an injury, or redness lasting more than two weeks. These can signal conditions more serious than simple conjunctivitis.
Get Your Eye Looked At
Call 909-981-9800 or request an appointment online. Our office is at 1298 W 7th Street, Upland, CA 91786, with free parking behind the building.