Infection or inflammation of the clear membrane covering the eye and inner eyelid. Highly contagious. Usually resolves with treatment but some types can permanently damage vision.
Identify the type: bacterial conjunctivitis causes thick yellow or green discharge that crusts the eyelids shut, especially in the morning. Viral conjunctivitis causes watery discharge and red eye, often following a cold. Allergic conjunctivitis causes intense itching with watery discharge.
Wash hands thoroughly before and after touching the eye.
Clean the eye gently using a clean cotton ball soaked in clean cooled boiled water. Wipe from the inner corner outward. Use a fresh cotton ball for each wipe and for each eye.
For bacterial conjunctivitis: antibiotic eye drops or ointment are needed. Chloramphenicol eye drops are available at most pharmacies.
For viral conjunctivitis: no antibiotic needed — it resolves on its own in 7 to 14 days. Cold compresses provide relief.
For allergic conjunctivitis: antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamine. Identify and avoid the trigger.
Do not share towels, pillowcases, or eye products during an active infection.
Do not wear contact lenses until fully recovered.
Wash pillowcases and face towels in hot water daily during infection.
Severe eye pain — not just irritation.
Significant change in vision or sudden blurred vision.
Eye does not respond to light normally.
Cornea appears cloudy or white.
Discharge in a newborn baby's eye.
Eye is protruding or bulging.
No improvement after 48 hours of antibiotic eye drops.
Do not rub the eyes — it worsens the infection and spreads it to others.
Do not share any face or eye products during infection.
Conjunctivitis in a newborn in the first month of life is a medical emergency — go to hospital immediately.
Do not self-treat with leftover ear drops — they are not the same formulation as eye drops.
✓ What Helps
· Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops — 1 drop every 2 hours for 48 hours then reduce — for bacterial conjunctivitis
· Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment — easier to apply in children, apply at night
· Sodium cromoglicate eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis
· Cold compress for viral or allergic conjunctivitis
✗ What To Avoid
· Steroid eye drops without medical prescription — they worsen viral and bacterial infections
· Sharing eye drops between people
· Contact lenses during any eye infection
→ Ask The Pharmacist For
· Chloramphenicol eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis
· Antihistamine eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis
🏥 Get Professional Help
See a doctor or eye clinic for any eye pain, vision changes, corneal cloudiness, eye infection in a newborn, or infection that does not improve after 48 hours of treatment. Eye infections that are not treated correctly can cause permanent vision damage.