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09/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 11:44

How Long Does Pink Eye Last? (With Images)

Key takeaways:

  • Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the outer layer of the eye. It's caused by a few different things, including allergies and infection.

  • Pink eye can last from a few days to a few weeks. The amount of time it takes to go away depends mostly on the cause.

  • While pink eye usually goes away on its own, in some cases you may need to see a healthcare professional. And there are a few ways to tell when that's the case.

KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Conjunctivitis - more commonly known as pink eye - is an inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye. Most people are familiar with the way it turns the white part of your eye pink or red. And it can be annoying and quite uncomfortable.

Since most people experience a mix of itching, burning, and crusting of the eye, it's common to wonder how quickly pink eye will pass. Below, we'll review the common causes of the condition, and how this affects the duration of your symptoms.

How long does pink eye last (with pictures)?

How long a case of pink eye lasts depends mostly on the cause.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

  • Causes of pink eye: There are three common causes of pink eye. Learn more about them, and how they're treated.

  • Pink eye timeline: How long pink eye lasts depends on the cause. But how long is it contagious?

  • Pink eye relief: If you've had pink eye, you know it's uncomfortable. Find out how to get rid of it as fast as possible.

Viral

Pink eye caused by a virus usually clears up within 1 to 2 weeks. But it can take as long as 3 weeks or more.

Viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) causes redness of the eye.

Bacterial

Even without treatment, mild bacterial conjunctivitis can resolve on its own within a week. More severe cases can take as long as 2 weeks.

Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) can create crusty deposits on the eyelashes.

Allergic

The duration of allergic pink eye depends on how long the person is exposed to the allergen. Once the allergen is removed, symptoms can resolve within 24 hours. It can, however, be challenging to identify the culprit - and even harder to remove it.

For example, seasonal pollen can be hard to avoid. And if you're intensely allergic to pet dander, it may mean having to re-home a pet or getting allergy desensitization shots.

Allergic conjunctivitis leads to redness of the inner lining of the eyelid with small bumps (papillae).

Related to other illnesses

If pink eye is part of a larger illness, the time course will be variable depending on the underlying illness. And will improve once the underlying condition is treated.

How long is pink eye contagious?

Infectious conjunctivitis can be very contagious - especially if it's viral. A general rule is: If you have symptoms, you can spread pink eye to others. This means you could be contagious for as long as 2 to 3 weeks. Allergic pink eye is not contagious.

How does pink eye spread?

Infectious pink eye is spread by direct contact. When you touch your eye, the virus or bacteria gets on your fingers. And it can then spread to others through physical contact or shared surfaces.

There are several things you can do to minimize spreading these germs:

  • Wash your hands.

  • Avoid touching your eyes.

  • Stop wearing contacts.

  • Don't share towels, handkerchiefs, tissues, cosmetics, food, or drinks.

  • Don't swim in a pool.

  • Stay home from school or work until your symptoms clear up.

What causes pink eye?

There are many things that can cause pink eye. So it helps to think of the causes in two broad categories:

  • Infectious

  • Noninfectious (inflammatory)

Infectious

The most common cause of pink eye is an infection. The infection can be caused by:

  • Viruses: Many different viruses can cause pink eye, but the most common is adenovirus. Viruses can cause symptoms in one or both eyes. People with viral conjunctivitis usually experience watery eyes with mucus discharge and mild itchiness. They may also have other viral symptoms, like fever, sore throat, and congestion.

  • Bacteria: Bacteria more commonly cause pink eye in children than adults. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually starts in just one eye with a lot of redness. But it can spread to the other eye. It also can cause a lot of green, yellow, or white drainage. Many people with bacterial conjunctivitis also experience a stinging-like sensation.

Noninfectious

Most people associate pink eye with an infection. And that's correct. But there are things that can cause inflammation of the eye that look and feel similar to an infection:

  • Allergies: The most common noninfectious cause of conjunctivitis is an allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis tends to be very itchy, affect both eyes, and cause watery discharge. It can be accompanied by other allergy symptoms, like sneezing and congestion, but this is not always the case. Common allergens that can cause pink eye include pollen, pet dander, and dust.

  • Irritants: Chemicals, like those in cleaning solutions, or air pollution can irritate your eye and cause conjunctivitis. Even eye drops can cause pink eye. Some people react to the topical antibiotics that are used to treat pink eye, for example.

  • Other illnesses: In rare cases, pink eye can be caused by illnesses that affect the entire body. Examples include Kawasaki disease and Sjögren's disease.

How can I quickly get rid of pink eye?

You can take simple steps to ease your symptoms, like using cold compresses and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. But if your pink eye is due to allergies or another medical condition, you might not be able to get rid of it until you address that condition. Take a break from contact lenses and eye makeup until your symptoms improve.

When to get medical help for pink eye

Most cases of pink eye resolve on their own. But if you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a healthcare professional:

  • Significant pain: Mild stinging is normal, but you shouldn't have a lot of pain. This could be a sign of other eye conditions that can cause redness.

  • Light sensitivity: If light bothers you to the point that you can only keep your eyes open in a dark room, this also suggests something else may be going on.

  • Injury to the eye: If you were recently hit in the eye, or you got something in it, it's important to have your eye checked. Even very minor scratches can cause corneal abrasions.

  • Changes to your vision: Tearing up can cause some occasional blurriness with pink eye. But this should resolve as soon as the discharge is removed.

  • No improvement: If your symptoms get worse over time, talk with a healthcare professional about treatment options. This is also true if your symptoms don't get better with antibiotic drops. If you have shingles, herpes, or a condition that affects your immune system (like HIV or cancer), you should see a healthcare professional. Early intervention is best in these situations.

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if pink eye is viral or bacterial?
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It can be hard to tell the difference between viral and bacterial pink eye. But there a few clues that can help:

  • Viral pink eye is more likely to spread to the other eye and accompany cold symptoms.

  • Bacterial pink eye is more likely to cause thicker eye discharge, and it may accompany ear infections in kids.

There are exceptions to every rule, of course, so take these tips with a grain of salt.

Is it OK to leave pink eye untreated?
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Yes, in most cases. Pink eye typically goes away on its own, or with medication if it's bacterial. But some people need to get medical attention sooner. Be sure to see the list above for when to see a healthcare professional.

The bottom line

Pink eye is a very common condition. Most of the time it's a nuisance that will go away on its own. But if it's caused by an infection, it can last up to a few weeks.

Until your symptoms resolve, be sure to wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes. If your symptoms don't get better after a couple of weeks, it's best to get checked out.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:
Jill L. Jaimes, MD
Jill L. Jaimes, MD, is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician with over 20 years of clinical experience. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed her residency and fellowship training at Texas Children's Hospital.
Reviewed by:
Mandy Armitage, MD
Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.
Reviewed by:
Nishika Reddy, MD
Nishi Reddy, MD, is a board-certified private-practice ophthalmologist based in Ohio with a specialization in corneal transplant surgery. She is affiliated with Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical society, and Women in Ophthalmology.

Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com).

References

Azari, A. A., et al. (2013). Conjunctivitis: A systematic review of diagnosis and treatment. Journal of the American Medical Association.

Boyd, K. (2023). Conjunctivitis: What is pink eye? American Academy of Ophthalmology.

View All References (7)
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). How to prevent pink eye.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). How to treat pink eye.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Pink eye: Causes and how it spreads.

Gudgel, D. T. (2023). Quick home remedies for pink eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Mukamal, R. (2024). When do you need antibiotics for pink eye (conjunctivitis)? American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Nemours Teen Health. (2020). Pinkeye (conjunctivitis).

Roscoe, M., et al. (2006). ​​How to diagnose the acute red eye with confidence: You can identify and treat many types of conjunctivitis, but you should always know when referral is needed to preserve the patient's vision and, in some instances, the patient's life. Journal of the American Academy of Physician's Assistants.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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