Pink eye treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

In most cases, doctors can diagnose pink eye online by asking about your symptoms, requesting to see images, or video calling to observe your eye(s).

Once you describe your symptoms and the doctor has inspected your eye(s), they will be able to diagnose and prescribe appropriate medication.

If the doctor suspects you have a more serious problem, they may suggest you go to a clinic for a thorough in-person examination.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or we’ll deliver it right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Pink eye typically presents with redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. The lining of the eye is usually clear, but appears white due to the colour of the tissue underneath. If irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen.

Pink eye is very common, and usually is not serious. Typically, it goes away in 7 to 10 days without any medical treatment. Pink eye is most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections, chemicals, smoke, dry eyes or allergies.

There are four different types of pink eye divided into contagious and noncontagious groups.

Contagious pink eye:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial infection. This form of pink eye is often transmitted by touching your eye with unclean hands or using contaminated makeup, though causes vary widely.
• Viral conjunctivitis  is caused by viruses associated with the common cold. This form of pinkeye is contracted from your own upper respiratory infection or exposure to someone who has the virus.

Non-contagious pink eye:

• Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by irritants such as pollen, ragweed, grass, dust, fabric, and animal dander.
• Chemical conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to irritants like air pollution, swimming pool chlorine, and other types of chemicals.

• Eye discharge
• Gritty feeling in eye(s)
• Itchy, burning eye(s)
• Red eye(s)
• Tearing

To help prevent the spread of pink eye:

• Avoid touching your eye
• Change pillowcases and towels often
• Don’t share linens with someone who may have pink eye
• Don’t share cosmetics or eye drops
• Keep your child home if infected with pink eye
• Wash your hands regularly

You should speak to a doctor if you have a medical condition that decreases your body’s ability to fight infection, have vision in only one eye, wear contact lenses, you have symptoms of a bacterial infections.

You should also see a doctor if you suffer from symptoms of a bacterial pink eye, such as:

• Gray or yellow drainage from the eye, which may also cause the eyelashes to stick together
• Swelling of the upper eyelid, which may cause the lid to appear to droop
• Pain in the affected eye

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics and/or antihistamines/anti-allergy treatments.

If you wear contact lenses while treating the infection, you should:

• Wear glasses until the infection clears
• Dispose of the contact lenses worn when you contracted pink eye
• Disinfect your lenses if you prefer not to throw them away
• Clean or replace your lens case

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A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

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