Pink Eye

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the thin transparent layer covering the white of the eye. It's extremely common — especially in Indian monsoon season — and usually harmless, but needs the right type of treatment. The biggest avoidable harm is over-the-counter steroid drops.

Three main types

• Viral (most common in adults) — red, watery eye, gritty feeling, clear discharge, often one eye then the other. Usually follows a cold. Highly contagious — spreads in households, schools, offices, and often in monsoon outbreaks in India.
• Bacterial — thick yellow/green sticky discharge, eyelids glued together in the morning. One eye first, usually.
• Allergic — both eyes itchy, watery, swollen eyelids, often with runny nose. Seasonal or year-round in dust-heavy environments.

What to do

• Viral: resolves in 7–14 days. Cool compresses, preservative-free artificial tears, paracetamol-class pain relief. Antibiotics don't help.
• Bacterial: antibiotic eye drops from a pharmacy (doctor's advice for children, contact-lens wearers).
• Allergic: cold compress, antihistamine drops, oral antihistamine. Avoid rubbing.
• All types: wash hands often, dedicated towel, don't share pillows/makeup, stay off work/school till discharge settles.
• Stop contact lenses immediately during conjunctivitis.

Avoid

• Steroid-containing eye drops bought OTC — they briefly reduce redness but cause glaucoma, cataract, and can hide a herpes simplex infection that perforates the cornea.
• Home remedies — kajal, breast-milk, onion juice, cow-urine. All cause infection or chemical injury.

See a doctor urgently

• Marked pain, deep redness, sensitivity to light, or decrease in vision.
• Contact lens wearer with red eye — high risk for corneal ulcer.
• Newborn with red or discharging eye — urgent (may be gonococcal/chlamydial).
• Severe eyelid swelling with fever — may be orbital cellulitis.
• Pink eye not settling after 7–10 days.