Overview
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the transparent membrane covering the eye and inner eyelid. Viral cases are most common and highly contagious, typically starting in one eye with watery discharge.
Bacterial conjunctivitis produces thicker yellow discharge with lids stuck together on waking, while allergic conjunctivitis causes itch and swelling in both eyes, often with hay fever symptoms.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Significant eye pain, marked light sensitivity or reduced vision - urgent, this is not simple conjunctivitis
- • Contact lens wearer with a red painful eye - urgent
- • Red eye in a newborn, or following an eye injury
Symptoms and signs
- Red or pink eye with a gritty sensation
- Watery discharge (viral) or thick yellow discharge and stuck lids (bacterial)
- Itchy, puffy eyes in both eyes (allergic)
- Crusting on the lashes in the morning
- Mild light sensitivity without pain
- Recent cold symptoms or contact with an affected person
Management and treatment
Viral conjunctivitis needs hygiene measures and lubricant drops rather than antibiotics. Bacterial cases usually resolve without treatment too, but antibiotic drops shorten symptoms when discharge is significant. Allergic cases respond to antihistamine or mast-cell stabiliser drops.
Your ChatDoc doctor identifies the likely type, screens carefully for the features that indicate a more serious eye condition and prescribes appropriately.
Prescription treatment options
Chloramphenicol eye drops
Antibiotic drops for bacterial conjunctivitis with purulent discharge.
Lubricating eye drops
Preservative-free comfort treatment for viral conjunctivitis while it resolves.
Antihistamine or mast cell stabiliser drops
Sodium cromoglicate or olopatadine for allergic conjunctivitis.
Hygiene and contagion advice
Lid cleaning, towel separation and guidance on returning to work or school.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Conjunctivitis assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
Bacterial conjunctivitis clears in 5-7 days, or faster with drops. Viral conjunctivitis can take 1-3 weeks and often affects the second eye a few days after the first.
Allergic conjunctivitis improves within days of starting drops and is controlled seasonally alongside hay fever treatment.
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This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.