Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Also called: conjunctivitis, red eye, eye infection
Redness and irritation of the clear lining of the eye, caused by a virus, bacteria or allergy. BC pharmacists can assess pink eye and prescribe treatment where it is needed.
Quick answer
- What it is
- Pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy.
- Common symptoms
- A pink or red eye, gritty or itchy feeling, watery or sticky discharge, and eyelids that are crusted shut in the morning.
- How it's treated
- Depends on the cause — viral pink eye usually clears on its own, bacterial pink eye may need antibiotic drops, and allergic pink eye responds to allergy eye drops.
- Who can help
- Pink eye is on the list of conditions BC pharmacists can assess and prescribe for — Pill4Me can help the same day.
- Warning signs
- Eye pain, changes in vision, sensitivity to light, an eye injury or chemical splash, or red eye in a contact lens wearer need prompt assessment by a doctor or optometrist.
A pharmacist can assess Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in BC Pill4Me pharmacists in Chilliwack can help.
Book a pharmacist assessmentWhat is pink eye?
Pink eye is common and usually mild. Viral conjunctivitis is the most frequent cause in adults and often comes with a cold; it is very contagious and clears on its own, so antibiotics do not help. Bacterial conjunctivitis tends to produce a thicker yellow or green discharge and is more common in children. Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes, itches intensely, and often comes with sneezing and a runny nose.
The reason to get assessed is to tell these apart, and to make sure the red eye is not something more serious. Pain, blurred vision or sensitivity to light are not typical of simple pink eye, and contact lens wearers have a higher risk of an infection of the cornea that needs urgent treatment.
Good hand hygiene is the single most effective way to stop pink eye spreading through a household or classroom.
Common symptoms
Symptoms of pink eye can include:
- Pink or red colour in the white of one or both eyes
- A gritty, scratchy or burning feeling
- Watery discharge, often with viral or allergic pink eye
- Thick yellow or green discharge, more typical of bacterial pink eye
- Eyelids stuck together on waking
- Intense itching, especially with allergic pink eye
Having these symptoms does not confirm a diagnosis — they overlap with other conditions. Assessment by a pharmacist, physician or nurse practitioner is what establishes the cause.
Causes and risk factors
What causes it
- Viruses, often the same ones that cause colds
- Bacteria
- Allergens such as pollen, pet dander and dust
- Irritants such as smoke, chlorine or a foreign body
What raises the risk of developing it
- Close contact with someone who has pink eye, including at school or daycare
- A recent cold or respiratory infection
- Seasonal allergies
- Wearing contact lenses, especially overnight
- Sharing towels, pillows or eye makeup
Risk factors make a condition more likely across a population — they are not causes, and having several does not mean you will develop it.
When should I seek medical care?
Seek urgent or emergency care
- Eye pain, rather than grittiness or irritation
- Blurred vision or loss of vision that does not clear with blinking
- Sensitivity to light
- A red eye in someone who wears contact lenses
- An eye injury, a chemical splash, or something stuck in the eye
- Severe swelling or redness around the eye, or fever
If you are unsure how urgent something is, call 8-1-1 to speak with a HealthLink BC nurse at any hour, or 911 in an emergency.
Worth asking a pharmacist
- A red, gritty or sticky eye without pain or vision changes
- Itchy, watery eyes with other allergy symptoms
- Wanting to know whether pink eye needs antibiotic drops
- Advice on preventing spread at home, school or work
See a physician or nurse practitioner
- Symptoms that have not improved after a few days of treatment
- Pink eye that keeps coming back
- Pink eye in a newborn
- A weakened immune system
How is pink eye treated?
Lifestyle measures
- Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes
- Clean discharge with a clean, damp cloth, wiping from the inner corner outward
- Don't share towels, pillowcases or eye makeup, and throw away makeup used during the infection
- Stop wearing contact lenses until the eye has fully cleared
- Cool compresses and lubricating eye drops can ease discomfort
Medication
Viral pink eye does not need antibiotics and usually clears within one to two weeks. Bacterial pink eye often clears on its own too, but antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be prescribed to speed recovery. Allergic pink eye is treated with antihistamine or mast-cell stabilizer eye drops and avoiding the trigger. The right choice depends on the cause, which is what the assessment is for.
Monitoring
If symptoms are not improving after a few days, or if pain, vision changes or light sensitivity develop at any point, see a doctor or optometrist promptly.
This is a general overview, not a treatment plan. What is right for you depends on your history, your other conditions and everything else you take — that is a conversation with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Can a BC pharmacist assess pink eye?
Yes — this is within pharmacist scope in BC
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is on the list of conditions BC pharmacists can assess and prescribe for under the Minor Ailments and Contraception Service. A pharmacist at Pill4Me can look at your eye, work out the likely cause, and where appropriate prescribe and dispense eye drops the same day.
Important limits and when you will be referred
- Eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, an eye injury or chemical exposure need urgent assessment by a doctor, optometrist or emergency department
- Contact lens wearers with a red eye are referred to an optometrist or doctor because of the risk of corneal infection
- Newborns, and anyone whose symptoms have not improved with treatment, will be referred to a physician
Assessments are done in the pharmacy — walk in, or book a pharmacist assessment at Pill4Me.
Coverage in British Columbia
BC PharmaCare covers the pharmacist assessment fee for eligible BC residents with a Personal Health Number, whether or not a prescription is written. Any medication prescribed is paid according to your PharmaCare plan and deductible or your private insurance. We will tell you the cost before dispensing.
Coverage depends on the medication, indication, PharmaCare plan and, for some medications, Special Authority requirements — see BC PharmaCare.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist prescribe eye drops for pink eye in BC?
How do I know if pink eye is viral or bacterial?
How long is pink eye contagious?
Can my child go to school with pink eye?
Related reading
Guides and services
A pharmacist can assess Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in BC
This is one of the conditions BC pharmacists can assess and prescribe for — no doctor's appointment needed, and BC PharmaCare covers the assessment fee for eligible residents whether or not you leave with a prescription. If the assessment suggests you need a physician instead, we will tell you that.
Pill4Me Pharmacy is at 5625 Promontory Rd Unit 101, Chilliwack, BC. We deliver free to Chilliwack, Sardis, Promontory, Vedder and Yarrow, and you can reach a pharmacist directly at 604-705-3644.