Pinkeye - Topic Overview
An infection may develop when bacteria enter the eye or the area
around the eye. Some common infections that cause pinkeye include:
Symptoms of bacterial pinkeye include:
- Redness in the white of the
- Gray or yellow drainage from the eye. This drainage may cause
the eyelashes to stick together.
- Mild pain.
- Swelling of the upper eyelid, which may make the lid
appear to droop (pseudoptosis).
Bacterial pinkeye may cause more drainage than viral pinkeye.
Bacterial infections usually last 7 to 10 days without antibiotic treatment and
2 to 4 days with antibiotic treatment. The person can usually return to day care,
school, or work 24 hours after an
antibiotic has been started if symptoms have improved.
Prescription antibiotic treatment usually kills the bacteria that cause
Red eye is a more
general term that includes not only pinkeye but also many other problems that
cause redness on or around the eye, not just the lining. Pinkeye is the main
cause of red eye. Red eye has other causes, including:
- Foreign bodies, such as metal or insects. For
more information, see the topic
Objects in the Eye.
- Scrapes, sores, or
injury to or infection of deeper parts of the eye (for example, uveitis,
iritis, or keratitis). For more information, see the topic
- Glaucoma. For more information, see the topics
Eye Problems, Noninjury and
- Infection of the eye socket and
areas around the eye. For more information, see the topic
Eye Problems, Noninjury.
Swollen, red eyelids may also be caused by
styes, a lump called a
chalazion, inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis), or lack of tears (dry eyes). For more
information, see the topics
Styes and Chalazia and
Eyelid Problems (Blepharitis).
Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a