A 49-year-old member asked:
What should you do when you have conjunctivitis or pink eye?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Hamanswered
Ophthalmology 29 years experience
Pink eye!: You need to identify the underlying cause. Is it infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal), allergic, dry eye, or some other systemic or autoimmune condition. Try artificial tears and oral omega-3's (evoa dry eye supplements). You may need prescription drops, see an eye md.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Doctor can: differentiate. 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.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
502 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
Virginia, MN
A 21-year-old female asked:
Can you get conjunctivitis (pink eye) more than once?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Dahlanswered
Ophthalmology 57 years experience
Yes: 'pink eye' is a lay term for a viral infection of the outside of the eye. Just as one can get a cold more than once, one can acquire viral conjunctivitis more than once. Recurrent conjunctivitis is more common in people who are contact lens wearers and those with immune system disorders.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Is it pink eye, conjunctivitis or blepharitis?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Diamondanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Conjunctivitis: " pink eye" generally is considered an infection of the eye causing inflammation of the lining or conjunctiva. Hence conjunctivitis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
What's the difference between viral conjunctivitis and pink eye?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
Usually the same: Most "pink eye" is caused by viral conjunctivitis, in which case they're the same. However, a bacterial conjunctivitis, though less common, could cause the same symptoms and be referred to as pink eye, and there are other conditions that can make the eye look red.
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5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 24, 2017
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