Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common eye problem that makes your eyes look red and feel uncomfortable. It's also called "red eye" or "pink eye". Don't worry - it usually gets better on its own within a couple of weeks.

What causes conjunctivitis?

There are three main causes:

• Germs (bacteria or viruses) - this type spreads easily to other people
• Allergies like hay fever - this type doesn't spread to others
• Irritation from things like dust or chemicals

What does it look like and feel like?

If you have conjunctivitis, your eyes might:

• Look red or pink
• Feel like there's grit or sand in them
• Feel itchy or burning
• Water more than usual
• Have sticky yellow or green discharge that makes your eyelashes stick together, especially in the morning

The type with sticky discharge is usually the kind that spreads to other people.

How to look after yourself at home

You can do several things to help your eyes feel better:

Clean your eyes gently:

• Boil some water and let it cool down completely
• Use a clean cotton wool pad to gently wipe away any crusty bits from your eyelashes
• Use a different pad for each eye to avoid spreading germs

Cool your eyes down:

• Hold a cold, damp flannel against your closed eyes for a few minutes
• This can help reduce the uncomfortable feeling

Important things to remember:

• Don't wear contact lenses until your eyes are completely better
• Wash your hands often with warm soapy water
• Don't rub your eyes, even if they feel itchy

Can I spread it to others?

If your conjunctivitis is caused by germs, it can spread easily. To protect others:

• Wash your hands regularly
• Don't share towels, pillows, or face cloths
• Wash your pillowcase and face cloths in hot water
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
• Put used tissues straight in the bin

You don't usually need to stay off work or school unless you're feeling very unwell.

When to get help

See your pharmacist if:

• You need advice about which eye drops might help
• You want to try antihistamines for allergic conjunctivitis

Speak to your GP if:

• Your baby has red, sticky eyes
• You wear contact lenses and have spots on your eyelids along with conjunctivitis symptoms
• Your symptoms haven't cleared up after 7 days

Get urgent help (call 111 or see a GP urgently) if you have:

• Pain in your eyes
• Trouble with bright lights
• Changes in your sight, like seeing wavy lines or flashing lights
• Very red eyes
• A baby under 30 days old with red, sticky eyes

These symptoms could mean a more serious eye problem that needs quick treatment.

Treatment

Most conjunctivitis gets better without any special treatment. If it's caused by bacteria, your GP might give you antibiotic eye drops. But if it's caused by a virus or allergies, antibiotics won't help.

Remember, while conjunctivitis can be annoying, it's usually not serious and will clear up on its own with good self-care.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.