Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic, or viral)
Pink eye is inflammation of the thin membrane lining the eyelid and covering the white of the eye. It causes redness, irritation, a gritty or burning feeling, and discharge. There are three common types — bacterial (thick yellow/green discharge, eyelids stuck together in the morning), viral (watery discharge, often with a cold; very contagious), and allergic (intense itching, watery eyes, usually both eyes). Telling them apart matters, because antibiotics only help the bacterial kind. A pharmacist can assess your symptoms, identify the likely type, and either recommend the right treatment or refer you when an eye exam is needed.
Self-care products available in our shop
- Lubricating / artificial tear drops to flush irritants and soothe
- Allergy eye drops (e.g., ketotifen, Zaditor) for itchy, allergic eyes
- Sterile eye wash / saline to rinse discharge and debris
- Redness-relief drops for short-term use only
- Cold/warm compress packs — warm for crusting, cool for itch
Treatments our pharmacist can prescribe
For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are prescription treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.
Antibacterials (bacterial pink eye): Erythromycin (ointment), Fusidic acid (Fucithalmic), Gramicidin/Polymyxin B (Polysporin Eye Drops), Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim (Polytrim), Tobramycin (Tobrex)
Antiallergic agents (allergic pink eye): Antazoline, Bepotastine (Bepreve), Cromolyn sodium / sodium cromoglycate, Ketotifen (Zaditor), Lodoxamide (Alomide), Olopatadine (Patanol, Pataday), Pheniramine
Vasoconstrictors (short-term redness): Naphazoline, Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine, Tetrahydrozoline
When to seek further care: Seek medical care promptly — do not wait for a pharmacist appointment — if you have vision changes or eye pain, intense light sensitivity, copious yellow-green discharge with rapidly worsening symptoms, recent eye surgery or injury, or symptoms in a newborn. Contact lens wearers should stop wearing lenses and seek assessment.