Prevention

Pinkeye is spread through contact with the eye drainage, which contains the virus or bacteria that caused the pinkeye. Touching an infected eye leaves drainage on your hand. If you touch your other eye or an object when you have drainage on your hand, the virus or bacteria can be spread.

The following tips help prevent the spread of pinkeye.

• Wash your hands before and after:
  • Touching the eyes or face.
  • Using medicine in the eyes.
• Do not share eye makeup.
• Do not use eye makeup until the infection is fully cured, because you could reinfect yourself with the eye makeup products. If your eye infection was caused by bacteria or a virus, throw away your old makeup and buy new products.
• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
• Do not wear contact lenses until the infection is cured. Thoroughly clean your contacts before wearing them again.
• Do not share eye medicine.
• Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels, and washcloths daily.
• Wash your hands and wear gloves if you are looking into someone else's eye for a foreign object or helping someone else apply an eye medicine.
• When in the wind, heat, or cold, wear eye protection to prevent eye irritation.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What are your main symptoms?
• How long have you had your symptoms?
• Have you had any vision changes, increased pain in the eye, or increased sensitivity to light?
• Have you had this problem before? If so, do you know what caused the problem at the time? How was it treated?
• Do you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses?
• Does anyone in your family or at your workplace have signs of an eye infection, such as drainage from the eye or red and swollen eyes?
• Have you been exposed to fumes or chemicals?
• What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help?
• What prescription or nonprescription medicines have you tried? Did they help?
• Do you have any health risks?