What is pink eye?
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is swelling of the thin, clear layer that covers the white of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. It’s very common in kids and adults, and it usually isn’t serious.
There are three main kinds. Viral pink eye often comes with a cold and clears up on its own. Bacterial pink eye tends to make thick, yellow or green discharge and may need antibiotic drops. Allergic pink eye makes both eyes itchy and watery, often in spring and fall, and isn’t contagious.
Listed in Ontario’s minor ailments program as: Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic or viral).
Common symptoms
- Pink or red colour in the white of the eye
- Itching, burning or a gritty feeling
- Watery eyes, or thick yellow or green discharge
- Eyelids stuck together or crusty in the morning
- Puffy eyelids
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
A pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, look at your eye, and check things like whether you wear contact lenses and whether anyone at home has the same thing.
Depending on the cause, they may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment for bacterial pink eye, or antihistamine eye drops for allergies. Viral pink eye doesn’t respond to antibiotics, so we’ll tell you honestly if the best treatment is cool compresses, lubricating drops and a few days’ patience.
We’ll also go over how to keep it from spreading: wash your hands often, don’t share towels or pillowcases, and leave your contacts out until your eye is fully better.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Gramicidin and polymyxin B eye drops (Polysporin Eye & Ear Drops, Optimyxin)antibiotic drops for bacterial pink eye
- Polymyxin B and trimethoprim eye dropsantibiotic drops for bacterial pink eye
- Erythromycin eye ointmentantibiotic ointment, often easier for young children
- Tobramycin eye drops (Tobrex)antibiotic drops
- Olopatadine (Pataday, Patanol) or ketotifen (Zaditor) eye dropsantihistamine drops for allergic pink eye
- Naphazoline and pheniramine eye drops (Naphcon-A)short-term relief of red, itchy allergic eyes
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Prescription eye drops are covered by most drug plans, and often by ODB or OHIP+ if you’re eligible. We’ll check your plan before you pay.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- Your eye is painful, not just itchy or gritty
- You have blurry vision that doesn’t clear when you blink, or light hurts your eyes
- You wear contact lenses and your eye is red and sore
- It’s a newborn baby with red or goopy eyes
- It isn’t getting better after 2 to 3 days of treatment
- You have a weakened immune system
Call 911 or go to the ER if:
- Something hit your eye, or a chemical got in it
- Sudden vision loss, or severe eye pain with headache, nausea or seeing halos around lights
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.