Conjunctivitis, often called pink eye or sticky eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva — the thin membrane covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an allergy, or an irritant such as dust or chemicals.
One or both eyes may become red or pink, watery, itchy, gritty or uncomfortable, and there may be sticky white, yellow or green discharge. Because other eye problems can also cause redness, pain or discharge, it is safer not to self-diagnose the cause from symptoms alone.
Key Takeaways
- Viral, bacterial, allergic and irritant conjunctivitis can look similar, so the cause may need professional assessment.
- Antibiotic eye drops do not help viral, allergic or irritant conjunctivitis.
- Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread easily; allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
- Contact lens wearers with suspected infection should stop wearing lenses and seek advice because red eyes in contact lens users can sometimes indicate a corneal problem.
- Sudden vision change, eye pain, marked light sensitivity or a large amount of pus need prompt or urgent assessment.
- Children with infectious conjunctivitis should stay home from school or childcare until eye discharge has stopped, unless advised otherwise by a clinician.
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Find an OptometristWhat Causes Conjunctivitis?
Viral conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is commonly associated with viruses such as adenovirus. It often causes watery discharge, redness and a burning or gritty sensation. It may affect one eye first and then the other. Antibiotics do not treat viral conjunctivitis.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis can cause yellow or green sticky discharge and eyelids that stick together, especially after sleep. Some cases improve without treatment, while others may need antibiotic eye drops or ointment based on clinical assessment.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes and is often very itchy, with watery discharge and eyelid swelling. It may occur with hay fever symptoms such as sneezing or an itchy, runny nose. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Irritant conjunctivitis
Dust, smoke, chemicals, swimming-pool water and other irritants can inflame the conjunctiva. Treatment depends on the irritant and severity. Chemical exposure to the eye is an emergency and requires immediate flushing and urgent medical advice.
How Can You Tell Viral, Bacterial and Allergic Conjunctivitis Apart?
| Feature | Viral | Bacterial | Allergic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical discharge | Watery or clear | Sticky yellow or green | Watery or clear |
| Itching | Can occur | Usually less prominent | Often prominent |
| Both eyes | May spread from one to both | One or both | Usually both |
| Contagious | Yes | Yes | No |
| Antibiotics | Do not help | May be used when appropriate | Do not help |
This table shows common patterns, not a self-diagnosis tool. Symptoms overlap, and other eye conditions can look similar.
When Should You See a Doctor, Optometrist or Pharmacist?
Healthdirect recommends seeking advice if your symptoms do not start to improve after 1 to 2 days, or sooner if the symptoms are severe. A doctor, optometrist or pharmacist can help assess the likely cause and whether treatment is needed.
Seek prompt or urgent care if you have
- A sudden change in vision or vision loss.
- Eye pain.
- Marked sensitivity to light.
- A large amount of thick discharge or pus.
- Significant swelling or redness around the eye.
- A cloudy or hazy appearance of the cornea.
- A significant eye injury or chemical exposure.
- Contact lens use together with a red, painful or light-sensitive eye.
These features can indicate a more serious eye problem such as keratitis or another cause of acute red eye and should not be managed as routine conjunctivitis without assessment.
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Find an OptometristHow Is Conjunctivitis Diagnosed?
A clinician will ask about the symptoms, whether one or both eyes are affected, the type of discharge, itch, pain, light sensitivity, contact lens use, recent illness, allergies and possible irritant exposure. The eyes are then examined. A discharge sample may sometimes be taken if the cause is unclear or the infection is severe.
How Is Conjunctivitis Treated?
Treatment depends on the cause. Many cases improve on their own after a few days, but some need medicine or further assessment.
Viral conjunctivitis treatment
Viral conjunctivitis often improves without prescription treatment. Symptom relief may include gentle cleaning, lubricating eye drops and cool or warm compresses as advised. Antibiotics do not treat viral conjunctivitis.
Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment
A doctor or pharmacist may recommend antibiotic eye drops or ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis when appropriate. The treatment should be used exactly as directed. Do not use leftover antibiotic drops from an earlier episode.
Allergic conjunctivitis treatment
Management usually focuses on reducing exposure to the allergen and controlling symptoms. Healthdirect and ASCIA note that antihistamine eye drops or tablets and other allergy treatments may be used depending on the severity and the person.
What Can You Do at Home?
- Wash your hands before and after touching the eye area.
- Gently clean discharge using a fresh cotton pad soaked in warm tap water.
- Use a separate clean pad for each eye.
- Wipe from the inner corner near the nose outwards.
- Do not share towels, face washers, pillowcases or eye makeup.
- Avoid rubbing the eyes.
- Discard eye makeup or eyelash products used just before or during an eye infection.
- Use lubricating eye drops only if they are suitable for you and follow the product or clinician instructions.
Can You Use Old Eye Drops for Conjunctivitis?
Do not use leftover medicated eye drops for a new episode unless a pharmacist, doctor or optometrist has specifically told you to. The new symptoms may have a different cause, the drops may no longer be suitable, and opened bottles can become contaminated.
Follow the storage and discard instructions on the product label rather than assuming every eye-drop bottle has the same after-opening expiry.
Conjunctivitis and Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses and have an eye infection or abnormal discharge, stop wearing the lenses. Healthdirect advises people who wear disposable lenses to throw them out and wear glasses for at least a week after symptoms have disappeared. For reusable lenses, ask your optometrist what to do with the lenses and case.
A red, painful or light-sensitive eye in a contact lens wearer can sometimes indicate a corneal infection and should be assessed promptly.
Is Conjunctivitis Contagious?
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread from person to person through eye, nose or throat secretions, contaminated hands and shared objects such as towels or face washers. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
How to Reduce the Spread
- Wash hands regularly.
- Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes.
- Do not share towels, face washers, makeup or eye drops.
- Wash towels, face washers and bed linen regularly.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Use separate cotton pads when cleaning each eye.
Should a Child With Conjunctivitis Stay Home From School or Childcare?
Yes, if the conjunctivitis is infectious. Healthdirect and NSW Health advise that children should stay home from school or childcare until the discharge from the eyes has stopped, unless a clinician advises otherwise.
Allergic conjunctivitis is not infectious, so school exclusion rules for infectious conjunctivitis do not apply in the same way.
Conjunctivitis in Babies and Young Children
Babies and young children can develop conjunctivitis, but sticky or watery eyes in babies can also be caused by a blocked tear duct. The Royal Children’s Hospital advises having a baby examined if the cause is uncertain, rather than assuming all discharge is conjunctivitis.
See a GP promptly if a child has severe pain, vision problems, increasing redness or swelling around the eye, fever, or a persistent white spot on the cornea.
Can Conjunctivitis Damage Your Vision?
Most uncomplicated conjunctivitis resolves without lasting vision problems. Rare complications can occur, including keratitis or corneal ulceration. Pain, reduced vision, marked light sensitivity or a cloudy cornea are warning signs that need prompt assessment.
Conjunctivitis vs Dry Eye, Blepharitis and Other Causes of Red Eye
Redness, watering, grittiness and irritation can occur with several eye conditions. Dry eye, blepharitis, allergy, corneal problems and other causes of red eye may overlap with conjunctivitis symptoms.
If dryness or grittiness is a major feature, see Dry Eye Syndrome in Australia. For a general explanation of what an eye examination may involve, see Eye Test in Australia: What to Expect.
Find Eye Care That Suits Your Needs
If you are unsure whether a red or sticky eye is conjunctivitis or another eye problem, use the Australian Made Vision optometrist directory to compare participating independent practices. Confirm services, fees and availability directly with the individual practice.
Find Eye Care That Suits Your Needs
Search for an independent optometrist near you and find a local practice that suits your specific eye care needs.
Find an OptometristFrequently Asked Questions
Is pink eye the same as conjunctivitis?
Yes. ‘Pink eye’ is a common name for conjunctivitis because inflammation makes the white of the eye look pink or red.
How long does conjunctivitis last?
It depends on the cause. Healthdirect says most people recover within about 2 to 5 days, although some viral cases can last longer. Seek advice if symptoms are not starting to improve after 1 to 2 days or if they worsen.
Is conjunctivitis contagious?
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be highly contagious. Allergic and irritant conjunctivitis are not contagious.
Do I need antibiotics for conjunctivitis?
Not always. Antibiotics do not help viral, allergic or irritant conjunctivitis. They may be recommended for some bacterial cases after assessment.
What is the fastest way to get rid of conjunctivitis?
There is no single fastest treatment because the correct management depends on the cause. Viral cases usually need supportive care, bacterial cases may need antibiotics, and allergic conjunctivitis is managed with allergy treatments.
Can I buy conjunctivitis treatment over the counter in Australia?
Some lubricating or allergy eye drops are available over the counter, and some antibiotic eye drops may be supplied by a pharmacist. Because treatment depends on the cause, ask a pharmacist, doctor or optometrist which option is appropriate.
Can I wear makeup if I have conjunctivitis?
Avoid eye makeup during an active eye infection and discard products used just before or during the infection if they may have been contaminated.
Can I wear contact lenses with conjunctivitis?
No. Stop wearing contact lenses while the infection is active. Disposable lenses used during the infection should be discarded, and reusable lenses should be managed according to your optometrist’s advice.
Should I see a GP or an optometrist for conjunctivitis?
Either can assess a red or irritated eye, and pharmacists can also advise on some cases. Seek prompt medical or optometric care if you have pain, vision change, light sensitivity, heavy discharge or contact-lens-related redness.
When is conjunctivitis an emergency?
Seek urgent care for sudden vision change, severe eye pain, marked light sensitivity, a large amount of pus, significant injury or chemical exposure, or a red painful eye in a contact lens wearer.