Conjunctivitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Conjunctivitis?
An ophthalmologist, which is an eye doctor, treats conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is the medical name for pink eye. A doctor will look at your eyes and ask questions to find out what caused it and how best to treat it. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is conjunctivitis?
The conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes swollen or inflamed. Pink eye is common, and some types of pink eye spread very easily.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of pink eye are:
- Pink or red eyes.
- Itchy or burning eyes.
- Watery eyes.
- White, yellow, or green fluid (discharge) coming from your eyes.
- Crust along your eyelids or eyelashes, which may keep your eyes from opening when you wake up.
Pink eye may also cause:
- Swollen eyelids.
- A feeling like something is stuck in your eye.
- Sensitivity to bright light.
- Blurry vision.
- A lump in front of your ear.
Causes and who gets it
Most of the time, pink eye is caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral pink eye is the most common type. Viral and bacterial pink eye spread very easily from person to person. You can also get pink eye from allergies to things like pollen or pet fur. Other things that bother your eyes, like pool water with chlorine, air pollution, or makeup, can also cause it. Anything that irritates the eye may also cause conjunctivitis.
In newborns, an eye infection may be caused by bacteria in the birth canal. This must be treated at once to preserve eyesight. Pink eye can cause serious health problems for newborn babies.
You are more likely to get pink eye if you:
- Come in contact with someone else who has pink eye.
- Recently had a respiratory infection, like a cough or a cold.
- Wear contact lenses.
How doctors diagnose it
Diagnosis can include an eye exam and lab tests. It can be hard to figure out the exact cause of pink eye, because the symptoms are usually the same. A provider may swab the conjunctiva to get a sample for analysis.
Treatment
Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the cause. Pink eye often gets better on its own after 7 to 10 days. If your case is mild, you can ease your symptoms at home using a cold compress and eye drops you can get over the counter, meaning without a prescription.
Bacterial pink eye needs treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Most cases of viral conjunctivitis go away on their own without antibiotic eye drops.
Allergic conjunctivitis may improve when allergies are treated. It may go away on its own when you avoid your allergy triggers. Cool compresses may help soothe allergic conjunctivitis. In more severe cases, medicated eye drops may be needed.
Crustiness of the eyelids can be helped by applying warm compresses.
If you have pink eye, you can help stop it from spreading:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Do not share personal items with other people.
When to see a doctor
Most cases of pink eye get better on their own.
Go to the doctor if:
- You have a lot of pain in your eye.
- Your eye is very red.
- You notice a lot of mucus coming from your eyes.
- Your vision is blurry or you are sensitive to light, and it does not get better when you wipe away discharge from your eye.
- Your symptoms do not get better after a few days, or they get worse.
- You have a health condition that weakens your immune system, like cancer or HIV.
- You have symptoms of pink eye and you wear contacts, or you recently scratched your eye.
Pink eye can be serious in newborns. Call a doctor now if your baby has:
- Unusual fluid (discharge) coming from the eye.
- Puffy red eyelids.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can be a place to go if your symptoms do not get better after a few days or if they get worse.
Common questions
Is pink eye contagious?
Yes, viral and bacterial pink eye spread very easily from person to person. You can keep from spreading it to other people by washing your hands often and not sharing items like pillowcases, towels, or makeup.
Do I need antibiotics for pink eye?
It depends on the cause. Bacterial pink eye needs treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Most cases of viral conjunctivitis go away on their own without antibiotic eye drops.
How long does pink eye last?
Pink eye often gets better on its own after 7 to 10 days. Go to the doctor if your symptoms do not get better after a few days or they get worse.
Can pink eye be serious for babies?
Yes, pink eye can cause serious health problems for newborn babies. Call a doctor now if your baby has unusual fluid (discharge) coming from the eye or puffy red eyelids.
Can allergies cause pink eye?
Yes, you can get pink eye from allergies to things like pollen or pet fur. Allergic conjunctivitis may go away on its own when you avoid your allergy triggers.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Conjunctivitis | Pink Eye
- National Eye Institute - Pink Eye
- MedlinePlus - Conjunctivitis or pink eye
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
