1. Pink Eye Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Prevent spreading the infection to the other eye and to other people. Pinkeye can be very contagious, so limit your contacts until you are better.

• Carefully wash your hands every time you touch your face around your eye.



• Keep your own towels, washcloths, and pillows separate from those of family members or use paper towels.



• Wash or change your pillowcase every day until the infection goes away.



• Do not touch your infected eye with your fingers. Use tissues to wipe.



• Do not wear eye makeup. Do not share eye makeup.



• Do not wear your contact lenses until the infection is gone.



• Put a warm compress, such as a washcloth soaked in warm water, on your eye for a few minutes, three to four times a day. This eases the discomfort and helps break up some of the crust that may form on your eyelashes.



• Use over-the-counter artificial tears to help with itching and irritation. Do not share eye drops. You can spread the infection to anyone else who uses them.



• Do not put a patch over your eye. It may cause the infection to become worse.



• Do not use over-the-counter eye drops for more than a few days unless instructed to do so by your ophthalmologist. Worsening redness could result from repeated use of such products.

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