Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is usually a self-limited problem that clears on its own in about 1–2 weeks, especially the common viral type, so most treatment is symptom relief rather than a cure. Care depends on the cause: viral and mild bacterial cases often need only comfort measures, allergic pink eye responds to antihistamine drops and trigger avoidance, and more pronounced bacterial cases may be treated with prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointment.
Available without a prescription — follow each label.
carboxymethylcellulose / artificial tears (lubricant eye drops) Refresh, Systane ocular lubricant | Recommended by CDC, NHS and MedlinePlus for any type of pink eye to relieve dryness, grittiness and inflammation; preservative-free versions are gentlest if used often. Comfort only — does not cure infection. |
ketotifen ophthalmic Alaway, Zaditor antihistamine / mast-cell stabilizer eye drops | Best for allergic pink eye — relieves itching by blocking histamine. Available OTC in the US; per MedlinePlus, typically one drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, 8–12 hours apart. |
naphazoline / pheniramine ophthalmic Visine-A, Opcon-A decongestant + antihistamine eye drops | OTC combination drop for allergic pink eye that reduces redness and itching. Use short-term only (a few days) — the decongestant (vasoconstrictor) can cause rebound redness with prolonged use. |
Claritin oral antihistamine | An oral allergy medicine option when allergic conjunctivitis comes with sneezing or a runny nose; NHS notes a pharmacist may suggest an antihistamine to ease allergy symptoms. |
A doctor may prescribe these — not for self-treatment.
erythromycin ophthalmic topical antibiotic (eye ointment/drops) | For bacterial pink eye a doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment or drops; CDC notes antibiotics can shorten the infection, reduce complications and limit spread, and are most useful when there is pus-like discharge or a weakened immune system. Do not self-treat — these require a clinician. |
chloramphenicol ophthalmic topical antibiotic (eye drops/ointment) | For bacterial conjunctivitis a clinician may prescribe chloramphenicol drops or ointment, usually applied to the affected eye for about a week. In the UK a pharmacist can sometimes supply it; in the US it is prescription-only — do not self-treat. |
loteprednol ophthalmic topical corticosteroid eye drops | A doctor may prescribe a mild steroid eye drop to ease discomfort in more severe viral or allergic cases. Steroid drops require specialist oversight because they can worsen some infections and raise eye pressure — never use on your own. |
acyclovir / ganciclovir ophthalmic topical antiviral | For pink eye caused by herpes simplex or varicella-zoster virus, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine. These serious viral cases need urgent professional diagnosis and treatment. |
Match the treatment to the cause. If your eyes are itchy and watery and you have other allergy symptoms (often both eyes, no pus), it's likely allergic — try removing the trigger plus a cold compress and an OTC antihistamine eye drop like ketotifen. If the eye is red and watery with a watery discharge and possibly a cold, it's most likely viral, which has no cure and is best managed with cool compresses and artificial tears while it runs its course (usually 1–2 weeks). Thick yellow-green pus, often gluing the lashes shut, suggests a bacterial cause; mild bacterial cases often clear on their own in a few days, but a clinician may treat more pronounced cases with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Because viral and bacterial pink eye are very contagious, wash hands often, don't share towels or eye makeup, and stop wearing contact lenses until a clinician says it's safe. Children under 2, contact lens wearers, and newborns should be seen by a clinician rather than self-treated.
See a clinician promptly — or seek urgent/emergency eye care — for any of these red flags: moderate or severe eye pain; intense redness in one or both eyes; sensitivity to light (photophobia); any change in or blurring of your vision that doesn't clear after wiping away discharge; or symptoms that persist beyond about a week or keep getting worse. A newborn (especially under 30 days old) with red, sticky or discharging eyes needs immediate medical attention. Contact lens wearers with pink eye should stop wearing lenses and be checked, as they are at higher risk of a sight-threatening corneal infection. Also seek care if you have a weakened immune system, if you suspect a herpes or shingles-related eye infection, or if bacterial pink eye does not improve within about 24 hours of starting prescribed antibiotics.
General reference, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your doctor or pharmacist. The right choice depends on your symptoms, health conditions, age, and other medicines — always read each label and confirm before taking anything.
| An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen can make the eyes feel more comfortable in viral conjunctivitis; it eases discomfort but does not treat the infection. Follow label dosing. |