Pinkeye Symptoms

With pinkeye, the eye looks red and may feel itchy. Sometimes there is a sensation as if something is in the eye. Viral conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes, although the severity or onset of signs and symptoms may be different between the two eyes. Other symptoms include

• eyelids stuck together when you wake up in the morning (the classic symptom),
  
  
• tearing and mild swelling of the eyelids,
  
  
• symptoms often occur in the setting of an upper respiratory infection (cold),
  
  
• thin, clear drainage from the eye,
  
  
• itching, burning, or a feeling of sand in the eye,
  
  
• mild sensitivity to bright lights,
  
  
• a tender pea-sized lymph node in front of the ear on one or both sides, and
  
  
• family members may have the same symptoms (an infection passed from one person to another).