Pink eye treatment online

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the clear layer over the white of the eye. It looks alarming but is usually mild. The cause decides the treatment:

• Viral – often with a cold; watery eyes; clears up on its own in one to two weeks
• Bacterial – thicker yellow or green discharge, eyelids stuck together in the morning; antibiotic drops can help
• Allergic – itchy, watery eyes in both eyes, often with sneezing; allergy drops and avoiding the trigger help

Your provider can see your eye on camera and ask a few questions to tell the types apart. If you need drops, the prescription goes to your pharmacy. You also get advice on cool compresses, cleaning the eyelids, keeping contact lenses out and stopping it from spreading at home.

• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment (for example polymyxin B-trimethoprim or erythromycin) for bacterial pink eye
• Allergy eye drops such as ketotifen or olopatadine for allergic pink eye

Only when it is right for you: your provider checks your symptoms, allergies, other medicines and health history first. Prescriptions go to the pharmacy you choose.

• Cool or warm compresses
• Clean crust from the lids with a clean cloth
• No contact lenses or eye makeup until it clears
• Wash your hands often; don't share towels

• Real pain in the eye (not just irritation)
• Blurred vision that doesn't clear when you blink, or sensitivity to light
• You wear contact lenses and the eye is red and painful
• An injury, or a chemical splashed into the eye
• A newborn baby with red or sticky eyes

These can be signs of something more serious than conjunctivitis. A virtual visit is not an emergency service. For chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke or a serious injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) at any time.

See a licensed provider by video or phone for these too.