What can be done about pink eye?

Conjunctivitis: 'pink eye' is the popular term for conjunctivitis, which in adults is mostly due to virus. It is a mucus membrane virus similar to that of the common cold. Most are self limited and will spontaneously cure in 3-10 days depending upon the virus. Keep the eyes clean, use lubricating drops and cool soaks can help. See your ophthalmologist if the vision is impaired or there is pain or pus.

Pink eye: Antibiotic eye drops can be used to treat bacterial pink eye. Most viral conjunctivitis does not require treatment (but antiviral meds may used if it is a herpes simplex virus infection). Allergic conjunctivitis may be treated with mast cell stabilizers or antihistamines.