What to do if it might be pink eye (don’t touch it!)

Katie Schill, FNP

Family Medicine

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in the world. It is an inflammation of the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball, and anyone can get it. If this happens to you, Katie Schill, NP, offered some guidance.

“My first advice is to try not to touch your eye,” Schill said. “This is hard when you have that gritty, itchy feeling and might have some discharge. If you do touch your eye or face, make sure to wash your hands immediately after.”

Schill said if the discharge resembles tears – even if it’s slightly yellow but has the same consistency as tears – then the pink eye is likely viral or allergy related. She recommends trying some over-the-counter red eye drops and clean, warm, wet washcloths. If symptoms are still present after a few days, a visit to a primary care provider or a same-day care provider may be warranted.

She said there are times when you should seek care. “If you have discharge that is thick or stringy, or matting on the eyes, then you should be seen sooner rather than later by either your primary care provider or a same-day care provider,” she said. “If you are having changes in vision or eye pain, especially with eye movement, then you need to be seen right away.