General InformationRedness and inflammation of the eye has been reported as being the most common eye problem in Australia. A major cause of eye problems is conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the ‘conjunctiva’ (the thin clear tissue that lines that inner eyelids and covers the white part of the eyeball). Show
There are 3 main types of conjunctivitis: allergic, bacterial and viral. They can be difficult to tell apart, and each is treated differently. Irritant conjunctivitis can also occur due to dryness and/or foreign matter in the eye. Always seek medical advice if you have red or painful eyes, loss of vision, irregular shaped pupils or there is unusual discharge. Allergic conjunctivitisAllergic conjunctivitis is usually caused by triggers, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander (hair and dead skin cells from animals), cosmetics or preservatives in eye drops. Symptoms include:
Bacterial conjunctivitisBacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria and is very contagious, commonly infecting other family members. Symptoms, which may start suddenly and may affect one eye before the other, include:
Viral conjunctivitisViral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus and is contagious. Sometimes it is accompanied by cold or flu symptoms. Symptoms include:
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
Treatment Tips
Tips for applying eye drops
Tips for applying eye ointment
Treatment OptionsAllergic conjunctivitis
Antihistamines (to treat and prevent symptoms)
Oral antihistamines (tablets and syrups)
Newer, less-sedating antihistamines[PHARMACY ONLY]
[PHARMACIST ONLY] Older, sedating antihistamines[PHARMACIST ONLY]
Antihistamine eye drops[PHARMACY ONLY] Antihistamine and mast cell stabiliser eye drops
[PHARMACY ONLY] e.g. ketotifen (Zaditen) Combination eye drops including decongestant[PHARMACY ONLY]
Other eye drops, to prevent allergy symptoms[PHARMACY
ONLY]
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Antibacterial eye drops and ointment[PHARMACY ONLY] [PHARMACIST ONLY] e.g. chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin Eye Ointment and Drops, Chlorsig Eye Ointment and Drops, Minims Chloramphenicol 0.5% Eye Drops), sulphacetamide (Bleph-10 Eye Drops)
Viral conjunctivitis
Lubricant eye drops and gels[GENERAL SALE]
More InformationAvailability of medicines
Search myDr for Consumer Medicine Information What is the best over the counter for conjunctivitis?Artificial tears are often the first OTC treatments recommended by doctors. Preservative-free tears can help reduce eye inflammation and dryness that accompanies pink eye. OTC antihistamine, decongestant and vasoconstrictor eye drops can reduce the redness and irritation of viral pink eye.
Can you get eye drops for conjunctivitis from the chemist?Chloramphenicol is usually the first choice of antibiotic and comes in the form of eye drops. It's available without a prescription from pharmacies to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
How do you treat conjunctivitis at home?Compresses. To relieve the discomfort associated with viral, bacterial, or allergic conjunctivitis, your NYU Langone ophthalmologist may recommend applying either a warm or cold compress—a moist washcloth or hand towel—to your closed eyelids three or four times a day.
Can you buy over the counter drops for an eye infection?Chloramphenicol is typically the first choice of antibiotic treatment. It is available as eye drops and also as an eye ointment. It is available without a prescription and is suitable for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.
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