It’s commonly called:
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“Eye Flu” (in India)
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Pink Eye (in the West)
It can affect one or both eyes, and its hallmark signs include redness, watering, stickiness, and discomfort.
🧫 Types of Conjunctivitis (Why This Matters)
| Type | Cause | Key Features | Is it Contagious? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viral | Adenovirus (common cold) | Watery discharge, mild pain, spreads fast | ✅ Yes |
| Bacterial | Staph, Strep, etc. | Thick yellow/green discharge, sticky lids | ✅ Yes |
| Allergic | Dust, pollen, etc. | Itchy, watery, red eyes, both eyes | ❌ No |
| Chemical | Irritants, chlorine | Burning, tearing, no infection | ❌ No |
🔥 Symptoms: What to Look For
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Red or pink coloration of the white part of the eye
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Watering or sticky discharge
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Swollen eyelids
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Burning, itching, or gritty sensation
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Eyes glued shut after sleep (classic bacterial sign)
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Mild light sensitivity
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In allergic cases: sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat
🧬 Causes: Why You Got It
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Touching eyes with unwashed hands
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Sharing towels, pillowcases, or cosmetics
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Close contact with someone infected
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Poor hygiene during illness or seasonal flu
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Exposure to allergens (pollen, dust, dander)
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Chlorinated water (swimming pools)
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Prolonged use of expired or shared eye drops
🏠 Home Remedies That Actually Help (for Viral/Allergic)
✅ Cold Compress: For relief from itching or burning
✅ Artificial Tears: Preservative-free lubricants soothe irritation
✅ Avoid contact lenses & makeup during active infection
✅ Honey water rinse (traditional): only if sterile, but consult your eye doc first
✅ Black tea bags (chilled): Helps with swelling in allergic conjunctivitis
🚫 Don’t try:
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Rose water (not sterile)
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Breast milk (yes, people try this)
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Sharing herbal remedies blindly
🧴 Treatment: Step-by-Step Based on Type
1. Viral Conjunctivitis
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No specific medicine needed
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Lubricant drops (e.g., Carboxymethylcellulose)
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Cold compresses
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Maintain hygiene
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Use dark glasses to prevent photosensitivity
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Stay home if contagious (esp. in schools/offices)
🕒 Recovery: 5–7 days
2. Bacterial Conjunctivitis
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Antibiotic eye drops: Moxifloxacin, Tobramycin, or Chloramphenicol
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Ointments at night for longer contact
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Keep wiping away discharge with sterile cotton + clean water
🕒 Recovery: 7–10 days
3. Allergic Conjunctivitis
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Antihistamine drops (Olopatadine, Ketotifen)
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Oral antihistamines if needed
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Avoid allergen exposure
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Use lubricants to flush irritants
🕒 Recovery: Variable — depends on trigger control
🧼 Prevention: Don't Just Cure, Stop the Spread
🚿 Wash hands frequently
🚫 Avoid sharing towels, eye drops, cosmetics
😷 Stay away from infected people (esp. kids in school)
👁️ Change pillowcases daily during infection
🧽 Disinfect glasses & spectacles
🛑 Don’t rub eyes
🧠 Real World Advice: Optometry Perspective
As an optometry student, I see this every season — people:
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Self-medicate using expired drops
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Use steroids without diagnosis (can make viral worse)
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Wait too long before seeking care
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Think it’s cured once redness goes — but they’re still infectious
👉 Don’t mess around with eye drops. Even a simple stye or conjunctivitis can turn ugly with wrong treatment.
⚠️ When to See a Doctor
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Pain increases or spreads
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Vision becomes blurry
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Discharge becomes green or smells foul
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Light hurts your eyes
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No improvement in 3–4 days
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You wear contact lenses (risk of corneal ulcer!)
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Eye injury or chemical exposure
📱 Digital Tips: Do You Have "Screen-Induced Conjunctivitis"?
With more screen use:
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Your blink rate drops
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Tears evaporate
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Dryness mimics allergic/red eye
💡Solution:
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Use 20-20-20 rule
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Blink consciously
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Use preservative-free lubricants
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Turn on night mode or blue light filters
❓FAQ Section: People Also Ask
Is conjunctivitis the same as eye flu?
Yes, in India, “eye flu” refers to viral conjunctivitis, which spreads rapidly in monsoon.
How long is it contagious?
Viral/bacterial conjunctivitis can be contagious for 3–7 days or until discharge stops.
Can I go to school/college with conjunctivitis?
Avoid going until eye is clear, or you risk spreading it.
Can I use rose water or home drops?
Only use sterile, doctor-prescribed solutions. Most home remedies are risky.
Can I wear lenses during infection?
Absolutely not. It may trap bacteria and cause corneal ulcers.
🧭 Conjunctivitis vs Other Red Eyes
| Condition | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Conjunctivitis | Discharge, irritation, redness |
| Dry Eye | Grittiness, especially on waking |
| Uveitis | Painful, blurry vision, photophobia |
| Corneal Ulcer | Severe pain, vision loss, white spot |
| Glaucoma (Acute) | Sudden pain, halo, vision loss, vomiting |
If pain is deep or vision is involved — don’t assume it’s conjunctivitis.
🧠 Fun Facts (Engagement Booster)
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Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of red eye globally
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Adenovirus can survive on surfaces for up to 2 weeks
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You can get infected just by using contaminated eye drops
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It affects up to 6 million people in India yearly during monsoon
🏁 Final Words: Clear Vision Needs Clean Habits
Conjunctivitis is simple to treat, but easy to spread and easier to mishandle.
Treat it fast. Know the type. Don’t blindly use drops. And most of all — don’t infect others.
Also see :
: Full Guide to Causes, Cure, and Prevention – From an Optometry ){kind=link}