8 Common Myths About Pink Eye

Get the facts about conjunctivitis: Who can get it, how it’s transmitted, and what you can do about it.

Conjunctivitis, usually referred to as pink eye, is a very common eye condition. Most people think they know what pink eye is, but there are many misconceptions about it.

Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. The condition is most closely associated with redness and itchiness of the eyes. But there’s more than one type of pink eye, and there are important differences in what can cause it and how to treat it.

Here are eight common mistakes people make about conjunctivitis, and the facts behind them.

Myth No. 1: Only children get pink eye.

FACT: Pink eye is very common in children, but it’s not just a kids’ condition. Millions of Americans — children and adhttps://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html ults — get pink eye each year. (1) The condition frequently occurs in children for several reasons. Pink eye is commonly caused by hand-to-eye contact, and kids (especially younger ones) are more likely to rub their eyes and not wash their hands properly. Infectious conjunctivitis is easily spread in environments where children are in close proximity — such as at school or day care.

Myth No. 2: You won’t get pink eye if you don’t rub your eyes.

FACT: Touching your eyes with unclean hands is just one way that you can get conjunctivitis. The eye can become infected if it comes in contact with any contaminated object or substance, such as improperly cleaned contact lenses, makeup or lotions, or the tip of an eye-drop dispenser that was used on an eye with conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis can be spread through exposure to the coughing and sneezing of a person with an upper-respiratory infection, such as a common cold. Other types of conjunctivitis can be caused by allergens such as dust mites and pet dander or by exposure to irritants such as pollution and chemicals. (2)

Myth No. 3: Pink eye is always infectious and very contagious.

FACT: Different types of pink eye exist, and not all of them are infectious. Bacterial conjunctivitis (caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria) and viral conjunctivitis are very contagious. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis usually occurs in people with seasonal allergies; and chemical conjunctivitis is caused by contact with irritants such as smog or the chlorine in swimming pool water. (2)

Myth No. 4: You can’t be born with conjunctivitis.

FACT: Newborns can have neonatal conjunctivitis, which is caused by a blocked tear duct, irritation to the eye, or an infection. A mother can pass bacteria and viruses to a baby during childbirth. Two common types of neonatal conjunctivitis occur when the mother has the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia or gonorrhea. Babies born with chlamydial or gonococcal conjunctivitis can develop serious infections in other parts of the body, such as the lungs and the spinal cord (meningitis). Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics. (3)

Myth No. 5: You never need to go to the doctor for conjunctivitis.

FACT: Most of the time, pink eye doesn’t require special treatment and gets better on its own. However, it can sometimes lead to complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms and any of the following: eye pain, blurred vision, a weakened immune system, or a preexisting eye condition. If your symptoms persist or worsen, talk to your doctor. (4)

Myth No. 6: If you have eye redness, then it must be conjunctivitis.

FACT: Red or bloodshot eyes can be a sign of many things besides conjunctivitis. Allergies, dry eye syndrome, and irritants can cause a red discoloration of the white of the eye. But eye redness can have more serious reasons behind it. Here are three eye conditions that should not be ignored:

Glaucoma, which causes damage to the optic nerve, affects more than three million Americans. (5) One form of glaucoma, known as angle-closure glaucoma, causes the eye to redden and vision to blur. It’s an urgent medical condition that can cause blindness if not treated. (6)
Scleritis is an inflammation of the tough, outer protective barrier around the eye. It’s often associated with an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. In its most severe form, it can lead to complications such as retinal detachment and vision loss. (7)
Uveitis is an inflammation and swelling of the middle coating of the eyeball. This condition can damage eye tissue and cause permanent vision loss. (8)

Myth No. 7: There is no treatment for conjunctivitis.

FACT: Conjunctivitis is often mild and goes away on its own. But treatments can relieve some symptoms, depending on the type of conjunctivitis. Eye drops known as artificial tears can ease dryness, warm or cool compresses can soothe irritated eyes and reduce inflammation, and allergy medications can improve symptoms when pink eye is caused by allergens. If the condition is accompanied by eye pain, vision problems, or worsening symptoms, then you should seek medical attention. (9)

Myth No. 8: Once you’ve had conjunctivitis, you’re immune to it.

FACT: Regardless of the type of pink eye, having it once doesn’t protect you against getting it in the future. Bacteria and viruses that cause infectious conjunctivitis can strike anytime. Some things you can do to protect against infection are avoid rubbing your eyes, wash your hands often, do not share things like towels and makeup, and properly clean eyeglasses or contact lenses. As with any allergy, the best way to protect against the recurrence of allergic conjunctivitis is to avoid exposure to known allergens. Remember that conjunctivitis can spread from one eye to the other, so avoid touching the unaffected eye with anything that has come into contact with the affected eye.

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Myth No. 1: Only children get pink eye.