Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

May 17, 2026

Vasan Eye Care

Red, watery, sometimes sticky, and usually affecting one eye first before moving to the other, pink eye is one of the most recognisable eye complaints. Most people in India know it as “eye flu”. Medically, it is called conjunctivitis. It is common, contagious in some forms, and almost always manageable with the right steps.

This guide walks you through what pink eye is, what causes it, how to treat it, and how to stop it spreading through your home, school, or workplace.

What Is Pink Eye?

Pink eye is another name for conjunctivitis. The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. When it is irritated or infected, the small blood vessels dilate and the eye appears pink or red.

Pink eye is very common, usually not serious, and usually resolves within a week or two when managed correctly. A few forms are highly contagious, which is why hygiene is a major part of the plan.

What Is the Main Cause of Conjunctivitis?

The main causes of conjunctivitis fall into four groups.

1. Viral infection

The most common cause of pink eye, often linked to the same viruses that cause colds. Highly contagious. Spreads through direct contact, shared towels, pillowcases, and hands that touched the infected eye.

2. Bacterial infection

Less common but more likely to produce thick yellow or green discharge, sticky eyelids, and heavy morning crusting. Common in children.

3. Allergic reaction

Triggered by pollen, dust, pet dander, cosmetics, or chlorine. Both eyes are usually affected, itching is the standout symptom, and watering is heavy.

4. Chemical or irritant exposure

Smoke, workplace fumes, splashes, and harsh cosmetics can all cause pink eye without any infection.

What Are the Symptoms of Pink Eye?

Common features include:

Redness of the white of the eye
Watery or sticky discharge
Gritty, itchy, or burning sensation
Mild sensitivity to light
Morning crust on the lashes
Swollen eyelids
A runny nose or sore throat in viral cases
A feeling that the eyelid is “stuck shut” in the morning
Usually one eye first, with the second eye catching up in a day or two

Vision is usually unaffected, though the watery film may blur it briefly.

How Is Pink Eye Diagnosed?

A careful slit-lamp examination at an eye hospital is usually enough. The doctor will:

Check the redness pattern
Look at the type and amount of discharge
Examine the inside of the eyelid for follicles (viral) or papillae (allergic)
Check the lymph node in front of the ear
Test vision
Take a swab only in selected severe or unusual cases

What Is the Rule of Eight in Conjunctivitis?

The “rule of eight” is a rough teaching point in clinical ophthalmology. It highlights the typical time course of viral conjunctivitis:

Incubation is usually up to 8 days
A patient is contagious for around 8 days after the eye becomes red
Recovery usually takes 8 to 14 days

These numbers vary with different viruses and patients, so they are a guide rather than a rule. The practical point is that people are contagious for more than a week, even when they start to feel a little better.

How Is Pink Eye Treated?

Treatment matches the cause.

1. Viral pink eye

Cool compresses
Preservative-free lubricating drops
Plenty of rest and fluids
Strict hand hygiene
Separate towels and pillowcases
Antibiotics are not needed in uncomplicated viral cases
Antiviral drops only for selected severe viral types

2. Bacterial pink eye

Antibiotic eye drops or ointment prescribed by a doctor
Gentle eyelid cleaning with a clean, damp cotton pad
Warm compresses to loosen crust
Improvement usually begins within 2 to 3 days

3. Allergic pink eye

Avoid the trigger
Antihistamine drops
Mast cell stabilisers for recurrent cases
Oral antihistamines if needed
Cool compresses and lubricating drops

4. Chemical or irritant pink eye

Immediate rinse with clean water or saline for 10 to 15 minutes
Same-day medical review for chemical splashes
Avoid further contact with the irritant

Supportive eye treatments such as lubricating drops, lid hygiene, and where appropriate anti-inflammatory drops often form part of the full plan.

Prevention Tips

Two core tips, then a few more.

Two essential prevention tips

Wash hands often with soap and water. This is the single most effective step against contagious pink eye.
Do not share personal items. Towels, pillowcases, kajal, mascara, and eye drops pass infection easily.

Other useful steps

Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands
Keep hand sanitiser handy during monsoon or known outbreaks
Rinse your eyes with clean water after dust or pollution exposure
Stop sharing eye makeup, including between close friends and family
Keep allergies under control
Wear swim goggles in pools
Change pillowcases daily during the illness
Stay home from school or office while discharge is active
Avoid wearing contact lenses during active pink eye

Pink Eye in Children

Children get pink eye often, especially in monsoon.

Keep them home from school or playgroup while discharge is active
Teach them to wash their hands before and after touching the face
Use a separate towel and bedsheet
Do not share eye drops between siblings
Book a doctor’s review if symptoms persist beyond a week

Pink Eye in Contact Lens Wearers

Remove lenses at the first sign of redness
Switch to glasses until the eye is clear
Discard the pair of lenses and the case used during the illness
Start with a fresh pair after a doctor’s review
Review lens hygiene practices to avoid recurrence

Complications

Most pink eye episodes heal without any lasting issue. Possible complications include:

Corneal involvement (keratoconjunctivitis)
Secondary bacterial infection in viral cases
Chronic allergic inflammation
Rare scarring in severe cases

Timely review at an eye treatment in india centre reduces the risk of these.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Book a review if:

Vision is blurred and does not clear with blinking
The eye is significantly painful
Redness and swelling spread outside the eye
Symptoms last beyond 10 days
Discharge keeps returning after drops
You wear contact lenses or have had eye surgery
A newborn or child has red, sticky eyes with fever
You are unsure whether it is viral, bacterial, or allergic

Pink Eye Care at Vasan Eye Care

Vasan Eye Care has been looking after patients across India since 2002, now as part of ASG Enterprises. With more than 150 super-speciality centres, 500+ ophthalmologists, and over 5,000 trained eye care staff, the team sees pink eye cases every day, especially during monsoon seasons. A typical visit includes a careful examination, identification of the type of conjunctivitis, and a practical plan with hygiene and follow-up advice.

Key Takeaways

Pink eye is another name for conjunctivitis.
It is caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, or irritants.
Typical symptoms are redness, itching, watering, and crusty discharge.
Treatment depends on the type; viral cases do not need antibiotics.
Handwashing and not sharing towels are the most effective prevention steps.
Most cases resolve within a week or two; persistent or painful cases need a doctor’s review.

References

National Center for Biotechnology Information. Conjunctivitis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541034/
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Pink Eye. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Conjunctivitis Treatment. https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/treatment/index.html