From the Guidelines
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eye, and to prevent spreading this infection, it is crucial to practice good hygiene and isolation precautions, as emphasized in the most recent study 1. To prevent the spread of pink eye, it is essential to:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
- Not share personal items like towels, washcloths, makeup, or eye drops
- Change pillowcases daily while infected If you have pink eye, it is recommended to stay home from work or school until symptoms improve, typically 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis, as stated in 1. The treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the cause, and according to the latest study 1, it is ideally directed at the root cause.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eye drops like erythromycin or ciprofloxacin used as directed (typically 1-2 drops in affected eyes every 4-6 hours for 7-10 days)
- Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own in 1-2 weeks with supportive care like cold compresses and artificial tears
- Allergic conjunctivitis responds to antihistamine eye drops or oral medications It is vital to note that pink eye spreads easily through direct contact with eye secretions or contaminated objects, which is why proper hygiene and isolation precautions are essential to prevent transmission to others, as highlighted in 1 and 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The use of antimicrobial agents may be associated with the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms including fungi; in such a case, antibiotic administration should be stopped and appropriate measures taken. Patients should be instructed to take appropriate measures to avoid gross contamination of the ointment when applying the ointment directly to the infected eye. Avoid contaminating the tip of container with material from the eye, fingers or other source
Pink eye is not directly defined in the provided drug labels, but it can be inferred to be an infectious condition of the eye, possibly conjunctivitis, that requires precautions to prevent contamination and overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms.
- To take precautions when the eye is infectious, stop touching the eye or surrounding areas to prevent contamination.
- Appropriate measures should be taken to avoid gross contamination of the ointment when applying it directly to the infected eye 2.
- The tip of the container should not be contaminated with material from the eye, fingers, or other source 3.
From the Research
Definition of Pink Eye
- Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids 4, 5, 6.
- It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies, and is one of the most common eye conditions in primary care 4.
Precautions to Take
- To decrease the risk of transmission, strict personal hygiene is essential, including frequent handwashing 4.
- Supportive care options for viral conjunctivitis include artificial tears, cold compresses, and antihistamine eye drops 4.
- Topical antihistamines with mast cell-stabilizing activity are the treatment of choice for allergic conjunctivitis 4.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with topical antibiotics, but many cases are self-limiting and do not require treatment 5, 6, 7, 8.
When to Seek Medical Attention
- Ophthalmology referral is indicated for conjunctivitis in a neonate or patients with severe pain, decreased vision, recent ocular surgery, vesicular rash on the eyelids or nose, history of rheumatologic disease, or immunocompromised state 4.
- Red flags suggesting a complicated case requiring referral to an ophthalmologist include reduced vision, severe eye pain, a hazy-appearing cornea, contact lens use, and poor response to empirical treatment 6.