What should you know about different types of conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis may be viral, bacterial, allergic or irritant, and the treatment depends on the cause. Viral illness often causes watery redness and may accompany a cold. Bacterial illness can produce thicker discharge. Allergy commonly affects both eyes with itching and tearing, while smoke, dust, chemicals or contact lenses can irritate the surface.

Red eye and eye discharge can occur with several types, so appearance alone cannot confirm the cause. Itching points more towards allergy, while gritty discomfort and watery discharge can occur with viral infection. Light sensitivity, significant pain, blurred vision or a feeling that something is stuck in the eye needs more careful assessment because these features can signal a problem beyond simple conjunctivitis.

Wash hands often, avoid rubbing the eyes and do not share towels, pillows, cosmetics or eye drops. Clean crusting with clean water and use a fresh cloth each time. Stop wearing contact lenses until symptoms have settled and an eye professional says they are safe to restart. A GP Consultation can help distinguish infection from allergy or irritation. Antibiotic Treatment helps bacterial infection only and is not useful for viral or allergic conjunctivitis.

Seek urgent eye care for severe pain, reduced or blurred vision, marked light sensitivity, injury, chemical exposure, or a red eye in a contact-lens wearer. Arrange a review if symptoms are worsening, discharge is heavy, or the eye is not improving. Redness without pain or vision change is often less urgent, but persistent symptoms still deserve a clinical explanation.

Ask which cause fits the pattern, whether you should stay away from school or work, how to clean the eye safely and when contact lenses may be resumed. Ask what change in pain, vision or light sensitivity should trigger urgent review.