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Even though many cases of pink eye resolve without treatment, it’s often worth it to visit your eye doctor anyway. They can prescribe medications to help shorten the length and severity of your symptoms. When to seek medical care It’s important to see an eye doctor if your symptoms don’t start to improve within a week or so. This could indicate that you have a more serious type of viral or bacterial infection. Moreover, there are many other eye conditions with symptoms that look just like pink eye. Consider seeing an eye doctor right away if: Symptoms aren't improving after a few days Symptoms start to get worse Vision is affected White part of the eye is extremely red (rather than pinkish-red) Eyes are very painful (rather than mild stinging or soreness) Symptoms spread to the other eye or other family members For contagious pink eye (caused by bacterial or viral infections), you may need a doctor’s confirmation that it’s okay to return to school or work. LEARN MORE: Signs and symptoms of pink eye Pink eye treatment at home Home treatment for conjunctivitis can help to relieve symptoms, but it can't cure it or shorten its duration. Many cases of pink eye simply have to run their courses. Many people find that using cool or cold compresses can calm burning and stinging eyes. Warm compresses can be a comfortable, safe way to clear the eyes of mucous discharge . When using compresses, be careful not to spread the infection from one eye to the other. For inflammation and redness, over-the-counter artificial tears and pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can be helpful. And though it seems counterintuitive, do not use redness-relief eye drops. They can cause more irritation and redness in the long run. It's also recommended to not wear contact lenses as long as you have symptoms. If you must wear contacts, throw your current pair away along with the contact lens storage case. When the infection goes away, you can open a fresh pair of contact lens and begin using a new storage case. If you think you or your child has conjunctivitis, it is not recommended to use home treatments yourself. And avoid using any " natural remedies" for pink eye without first consulting an eye care professional. LEARN MORE: Conjunctivitis in children Pink eye treatment When it comes to treatment for pink eye, it may involve eye drops. The eye drops used for pink eye may be prescription, over-the-counter or a combination of both. Many cases will resolve on their own without treatment. However, it’s possible that you may need a prescription from your doctor, depending on the cause. An eye doctor can tell you which type you actually have. Plus, they can help recommend a way to soothe your pink eye symptoms until they clear up. Viral conjunctivitis Because this highly contagious form of pink eye is caused by a virus, there is no medical cure for it. Just like with the common cold, viral conjunctivitis treatment focuses on treating the symptoms, not the condition itself. In fact, sometimes this form of conjunctivitis is called an “eye cold .” It typically lasts between one and three weeks. Some options for treating viral pink eye symptoms are the same home treatments mentioned earlier. Cool compresses and over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can help reduce irritation. Non-prescription pain relievers can also help with discomfort and swelling. For cases caused by more serious types of viruses, your eye doctor may choose to prescribe steroid eye drops or antiviral medication. Bacterial conjunctivitis Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment usually comes in the form of antibiotics. They help to reduce recovery time and the chances of any potential complications. However, bacterial pink eye may clear up on its own, so antibiotics aren’t always strictly necessary. Your eye doctor will be able to recommend a course of treatment for your bacterial infection. If they do recommend medical treatment, it may include antibiotic eye drops or ointments. In some cases, they may also prescribe an oral antibiotic. You can also take advantage of home treatments to relieve your symptoms while the antibiotics do their job. Warm compresses, artificial tears and OTC anti-inflammatory medications are often recommended for bacterial infections. Allergic conjunctivitis Like with the viral form, allergic conjunctivitis treatment focuses on easing uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms may appear suddenly, seasonally or year-round, depending on which allergens are causing them. Being proactive by taking oral allergy medication regularly and avoiding known allergens can go a long way in preventing allergic conjunctivitis. For those who can’t avoid their known allergens, antihistamine eye drops can help to relieve some of the itchiness and irritation. Cool compresses can also help you feel more comfortable. In severe or chronic cases, your eye doctor may prescribe steroid eye drops. These can help speed up recovery but can also cause some unwanted side effects if used long-term. SEE RELATED: Eye allergies vs. pink eye: What’s the difference? Treating other forms of conjunctivitis Many cases of conjunctivitis are caused by very common viruses, bacteria or allergens. But other factors can cause it too, and each cause has its own method of treatment. Less common but more serious causes include bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Herpes viruses can also cause more serious forms of conjunctivitis involving other parts of the eye, such as the cornea. It can also be caused by anything that really irritates the eyes. Irritants related to this type range from chlorine in swimming pools to a foreign object in the eye. Neonatal conjunctivitis (pink eye in newborns) can be caused by STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. These infections are passed along from mother to baby in the birth canal. Chlamydial conjunctivitis in newborns is typically treated with oral antibiotics. The gonococcal form in newborns is typically treated with IV antibiotics. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is caused by an abnormal immune response to a foreign body in the eye. It occurs often in people who wear soft contact lenses. The typical treatment for contact lens-related GPC is to stop wearing the lenses for at least a month. Afterward, switching to daily disposable contact lenses may be recommended. Daily disposables may help patients cleanse and replace their contacts every day. For severe cases, mast cell stabilizers are sometimes prescribed. Toxic conjunctivitis is usually caused by prescription eye drops that contain preservatives. It’s common with prolonged use but can also occur after just the first or second use in some people. The primary treatment for toxic conjunctivitis is to stop using the eye drops. Patients will need to switch to another type of drops once the condition clears up. Irritant conjunctivitis can develop when anything bothersome gets in or near the eyes. The treatment for this type is to thoroughly rinse the eyes as soon as possible. Remove contact lenses (if worn) and do not rub the eyes. It may be recommended to use artificial tears or sterile saline solution to flush out the irritant. Tap water can also be used in emergencies. If any harsh chemical splashes into your eyes, flush it out and seek medical care immediately. How long does pink eye last with treatment? Around 80% of all cases of pink eye are caused by viruses. This means that many cases won’t respond to any medical treatment. However, viral pink eye tends to run its course in 1-3 weeks . Bacterial cases tend to last 1-2 weeks without treatment. With antibiotic treatment, they can begin to resolve in 3-4 days. Special considerations for treating pink eye in kids or babies The one main difference in treating babies is when to see the doctor. It’s important to take newborns in for an exam at the first sign of eye infection, rather than waiting a day or two to see if it starts to clear up. Newborns may require intravenous antibiotics. Other than that, pink eye treatment for kids and babies is the same as for adults. Bacterial infections may be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment, and viral infections just need time to resolve on their own. The same home treatments recommended above are also good for children—but avoid treating infants under 6 months old with ibuprofen. Types of doctors who can treat pink eye Optometrists , ophthalmologists and primary care physicians can all diagnose and treat pink eye. However, eye doctors have more in-depth knowledge of the conjunctiva and are better able to distinguish between types of conjunctivitis. For example, eye care professionals are less likely to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for viral pink eye. And they're more equipped to make an accurate diagnosis if you have a different type of eye infection. If your symptoms include eye pain, vision changes or sensitivity to light, you should see an eye doctor right away. LOOKING FOR AN EYE DOCTOR? Find an eye care professional near you with our comprehensive ECP locator . Subscribe for what's new in vision and eye health, and what it means for you. Inside AAV Magazine Explore the new All About Vision digital magazine for an interactive look at vision and eye health. Primary glaucoma does not have a known cause, but secondary types are due to known conditions. Learn about the anatomy of glaucoma and its main risk factors. Eye colds are conjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, but not all pink eye is an eye cold. Hyperopia (farsightedness) makes it harder to see up close. Find out what causes it, how it’s diagnosed and how an eye doctor can help you see clearly. There are many different types of cataracts. Learn which three types are the most common and find out how they're different from other kinds of cataracts. Blepharoconjunctivitis occurs when both the lining of the eye (conjunctiva) and the eyelids are inflamed at the same time. Learn what eye infections can result from wearing contact lenses. Plus, whether you can wear contacts during or after pink eye. How to know if your baby has an eye infection such as conjunctivitis, and ways to treat the different types of pink eye in babies. Medicine isn’t always required to treat pink eye; but when it is, it can come in the form of over-the-counter or prescription medication. Pink eye (viral conjunctivitis) doesn’t usually cause severe eye pain, but it does cause mild to moderate itching and burning. Learn more about the different types of chronic conjunctivitis — pink eye that lasts more than four weeks. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc © 2000-2026 Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention.