What is pink eye (conjunctivitis)?
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the conjunctiva — the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It causes a pink or red appearance, discharge, watering, and irritation. There are three common types: viral (the most common, very contagious, and usually self-limiting), bacterial (often thicker, yellow-green discharge with lids stuck shut in the morning), and allergic (itchy, watery, both eyes, often with other allergy symptoms). Most viral cases clear on their own within one to two weeks; bacterial and allergic pink eye are the ones that may benefit from prescription eye drops.
How online pink eye prescriptions work
You complete a secure online assessment describing your symptoms, how long they have lasted, whether you wear contact lenses, allergies, medications, and pharmacy preference. A licensed physician reviews the information and may follow up if more detail is needed. If your symptoms fit likely bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis and there are no safety concerns, the clinician can send prescription eye drops to your selected pharmacy for same-day pickup in most cases.
Vyta.co does not automatically prescribe. If your symptoms look viral, or your answers suggest eye pain, vision change, a contact-lens-related red flag, or another complicating factor, the clinician may recommend supportive care or prompt in-person eye evaluation instead.
Pharmacy pickup
Clinician-reviewed
No charge if not prescribed
Bacterial, viral, or allergic pink eye?
Bacterial pink eye tends to cause thicker, yellow-green discharge and eyelids that are stuck together in the morning, often in one eye. Viral pink eye usually brings watery discharge, a recent cold, and a gritty feeling, and is highly contagious. Allergic pink eye is itchy and watery, affects both eyes, and comes with sneezing or a runny nose.
Because these overlap, your clinician reviews the full picture — including whether you wear contact lenses — before deciding whether antibiotic drops, allergy drops, or supportive care is right.
When to see a doctor in person
Online care is not right for every eye symptom. Seek in-person or emergency eye care if any of the following apply.
- Moderate or severe eye pain, vision changes, or sensitivity to light
- You wear contact lenses and have eye pain, blurred vision, or a white spot on the eye (possible corneal ulcer — urgent)
- Recent eye injury, chemical splash or surgery, a cold sore or shingles rash near the eye, or a newborn or young child with pink eye
First-line therapies for pink eye
For likely bacterial conjunctivitis, clinicians commonly prescribe antibiotic eye drops such as polymyxin B-trimethoprim (Polytrim), or erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment. Contact lens wearers are usually given a fluoroquinolone drop such as ofloxacin or moxifloxacin to cover Pseudomonas. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine and mast-cell-stabilizer drops such as olopatadine (Pataday). Viral pink eye is not helped by antibiotics and is managed with cool compresses, artificial tears, and time.
Common, mild side effects of eye drops include brief stinging or blurred vision after instilling them. Your clinician chooses the medication based on the likely type of pink eye, whether you wear contact lenses, your allergies, and your history.
What causes pink eye?
Pink eye is most often caused by the same viruses that cause colds, by bacteria, or by allergens such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. Irritants like smoke or chlorine and poor contact lens hygiene can also trigger it. Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily through hands, shared towels, and surfaces, so handwashing and not sharing eye products help prevent spread; allergic pink eye is not contagious.
Pink eye and contact lenses
If you wear contact lenses and develop pink eye, stop wearing your lenses until your eyes are fully better and you have finished any prescribed drops. Throw away the lenses and case you were using, and start fresh with a new pair. Contact lens wearers have a higher risk of a serious corneal infection, so eye pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity should be evaluated in person promptly rather than online.
