How to not prolong bacterial pink eye if i stopped taking antibiotics before redness was gone? it's been a week and redness is gone could it have cleared up own or am i just waiting for it to return? could antibiotics cause more microbial imbalance?

It is best to follow the prescription as written. The short course may be sufficient, but if redness and drainage recur, a virtual consultation with Healthtap is available.

Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed. Just because your eyes looked a lot better clinically does not mean infection is gone. To avoid worsening of condition and resistance , best to finish the full course as prescribed.