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Conditions
PinkEye(Conjunctivitis)
Inflammation or infection of the clear membrane covering the white of the eye. Causes redness, itching, and discharge. Can be viral, bacterial, or allergic.
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Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofPinkEye(Conjunctivitis)
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Redness in one or both eyes
Itching or burning sensation
Watery or sticky discharge
Crusty eyelids (especially in the morning)
Gritty feeling in the eye
Swollen eyelids
Sensitivity to light
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Medical certificates for time off work or school
- Assessment of whether it's viral, bacterial, or allergic
- Advice on symptom management and hygiene
- Guidance on preventing spread to others
What needs in-person care
- Eye examination with specialised equipment
- Prescription eye drops for severe infections
- Treatment for corneal conditions
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Symptoms not improving after 2-3 days
- 2Significant discharge from the eye
- 3Pain in the eye (not just irritation)
- 4Vision changes
- 5You need a medical certificate for work or school
Seek emergency care if
- Sudden loss of vision
- Severe eye pain
- Sensitivity to light with severe headache
- Injury to the eye
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonPinkEye(Conjunctivitis)
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Pink eye and conjunctivitis are the same condition - the term 'pink eye' is simply the colloquial name. This page exists because many Australians search for 'pink eye' rather than 'conjunctivitis.' The clinical assessment is identical: I determine whether the presentation is viral (watery discharge, often bilateral, following a cold), bacterial (thick yellow-green discharge, crusting overnight, often unilateral), or allergic (intense itch, clear discharge, often seasonal). The most common mistake is treating viral pink eye with antibiotic drops - this does nothing except expose you to potential side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Simple viral pink eye resolves on its own in 1-2 weeks. The key warning signs I screen for are pain (not just irritation), light sensitivity, blurred vision that does not clear with blinking, or contact lens wear with a red eye - all of which need in-person ophthalmological assessment.
Treatment
TreatingPinkEye(Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) treatment mirrors the conjunctivitis page as they are the same condition. For viral pink eye: supportive care only (artificial tears, hygiene). For bacterial: topical chloramphenicol eye drops (OTC) shorten duration. For allergic: antihistamine or mast cell stabiliser eye drops. The majority of antibiotic prescribing for pink eye in Australia is unnecessary -- viral causes do not respond to antibiotics and should be managed with lubricating drops and hygiene.
Carmellose sodium (artificial tears)
Systane, Refresh, Optive
Class:Lubricating eye drops
Typical dose:1-2 drops in affected eye(s) every 1-4 hours as needed
PBS:Available OTC without prescription
- First-line for viral pink eye -- relieves gritty sensation and flushes discharge
- Safe to use as frequently as needed; preservative-free options available
- Cool drops from the refrigerator can provide additional soothing effect
Olopatadine (ophthalmic)
Patanol
Class:Antihistamine + mast cell stabiliser eye drops
Typical dose:1 drop in each affected eye twice daily
PBS:Available OTC (S3, pharmacist supply) without prescription
- Best OTC option for allergic pink eye -- faster and more complete itch relief than lubricating drops alone
- Works within minutes; safe for regular seasonal use
Chloramphenicol (ophthalmic)
Chlorsig
Class:Topical broad-spectrum antibiotic
Typical dose:1 drop in affected eye(s) every 2 hours initially, then 4 times daily; 5-7 day course
PBS:Available OTC (S3, pharmacist supply) without prescription
- Appropriate for bacterial pink eye with thick mucopurulent discharge -- reduces symptom duration
- Do not use for viral or allergic pink eye (no benefit, increases antibiotic resistance)
- If not improving after 48 hours of antibiotic drops, reassess for viral cause or alternative diagnosis
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines -- Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, 2023; RANZCO Australian guidelines for conjunctivitis. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Seek same-day ophthalmology assessment if: eye pain beyond mild irritation, light sensitivity, visual disturbance, corneal opacity or redness, contact lens wear with red eye, or neonatal conjunctivitis. These can indicate serious conditions (keratitis, uveitis, iritis) requiring urgent specialist treatment.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in Australia
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is one of the most common eye conditions seen in Australian general practice
Viral conjunctivitis is the most common cause in adults and is highly contagious for 10-14 days
Antibiotic eye drops are frequently overprescribed for viral pink eye, which resolves without treatment
Allergic conjunctivitis often co-occurs with hay fever and is more common in spring and summer
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Viral: 7-14 days without specific treatment. Bacterial: 5-7 days with antibiotic drops, up to 10 days without. Allergic: resolves when allergen exposure stops or with antihistamine treatment.
Return to work
Adults can generally work with pink eye if symptoms are manageable. Good hand hygiene is essential to prevent spreading. Children are typically excluded from school or childcare until discharge has cleared.
When to reassess
See a doctor urgently if you experience significant eye pain (not just irritation), sensitivity to light, blurred vision that persists, a white spot on the coloured part of the eye, or if you wear contact lenses and develop a red eye.
Self-Care
ManagingPinkEye(Conjunctivitis)athome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Wash hands frequently - pink eye spreads easily through hand-to-eye contact
Do not share towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup with anyone while symptomatic
Clean discharge gently with a clean, warm, damp cloth - use a fresh cloth each time and for each eye
Do not wear contact lenses until the infection has completely resolved
Use lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) to relieve irritation and discomfort
For allergic pink eye: cold compresses and over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops provide rapid relief
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutPinkEye(Conjunctivitis)
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Yes. Conjunctivitis is contagious and many workplaces require you to stay home. Our doctors can provide a certificate for the necessary time off.
Viral conjunctivitis is contagious for 10-14 days. Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious until 24 hours after starting antibiotic drops. Allergic conjunctivitis isn't contagious.
Telehealth can assess your symptoms and provide advice. If treatment isn't improving symptoms, an in-person eye examination may be recommended.
Not always. Viral and allergic conjunctivitis don't respond to antibiotics. Bacterial conjunctivitis may benefit from antibiotic drops - a doctor can advise.
Ready to get help with Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.