A 32-year-old member asked:
Can you tell me the difference between pink eye and a regular eye infection?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Changanswered
Specializes in Ophthalmology
Conjunctivitis: Pink eye is the colloquial term implying a viral conjunctivitis. Thus this type of eye infection is more contagious, but regular eye infection can include all conjunctivitis types such as viral, bacterial, allergic, etc.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 36-year-old member asked:
How can you tell the difference between pink eye and another eye infection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Whitmananswered
Ophthalmology 46 years experience
Eye doctor: Only an eye specialist can differentiate this for you.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Can you please tell me how pink eye and a regular eye infection differ?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 18 years experience
Cause: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so antibiotic eye drops are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run it's course in 7-10 days. It can be very contagious, spreading from one eye to the other or to other people. Hand washing is essential. To be certain it is not a more serious bacterial or fungal infection, you should see an ophthalmologist.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
How does pink eye and a regular eye infection differ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Richard Bensingeranswered
Ophthalmology 53 years experience
Usually the same: Pink eye is the popular term for conjunctivitis which is usually viral. The eyes can become infected by many different organisms so pink eye is simply a description but not a diagnosis.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 1, 2014
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