Best Eye Drops for Pink Eye: How to Pick, Safety and Use

What Is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is caused by allergies or an infection that results in the inflammation of the conjunctiva (clear tissue covering the white of the eye).

There are three types of pink eye:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis. It is usually caused by bacteria that also cause strep throat.
• Viral conjunctivitis. It is typically caused by the common cold virus.
• Allergic conjunctivitis. It is caused by environmental allergies.

Since there are different products in the market, this article highlights the best eye drops for all three types of pink eye and when to see a doctor for worsening symptoms.

4 Best Eye Drops for Pink Eye

The kind of eye drops that work best will depend on the type of pink eye you have. For example, antibiotic eye drops will only effectively treat bacterial conjunctivitis. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis symptoms can be relieved with artificial tears and antihistamine drops.

Experts advise against using Visine or other red-reducing eye drops because they can worsen symptoms, especially if you have an eye infection.

You should always consult a doctor before treating an eye infection. Among the possible prescriptions you may take for pink eye are the following:

1. Best Overall: Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops

Protein, calcium, lipids, and other substances can build up on reusable lenses. Daily lenses are discarded after one use, which eliminates this possibility.

Acuvue Oasys are Dr. King’s top recommendation for people with dry eye. HydraLuxe Technology lets your tears hydrate the lens as well as your eye. This helps keep them moist all day.

We chose Systane Lubricant Eye Drops for best overall because it effectively relieves symptoms from all forms of conjunctivitis.

Its active ingredients, polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, have been studied to be the most effective at lubricating the eyes.

Purpose:

Eye lubricant for the relief of dry eyes and minor eye irritations.

Check with your doctor if you experience these side effects:

• Eye pain
• Changes in vision
• Continued redness or eye irritation
• Condition worsens or doesn’t improve after 72 hours of use

Dosage: (Always follow doctors’ dosing instructions.)

• Apply 1-2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed.

2. Best Antibiotic for Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops

Protein, calcium, lipids, and other substances can build up on reusable lenses. Daily lenses are discarded after one use, which eliminates this possibility.

Acuvue Oasys are Dr. King’s top recommendation for people with dry eye. HydraLuxe Technology lets your tears hydrate the lens as well as your eye. This helps keep them moist all day.

Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) is a common fluoroquinolone antibiotic that healthcare providers prescribe to treat bacterial pink eye infections.

Studies show it is 90% effective at improving symptoms and eliminating bacteria after one week of treatment.⁴

Purpose:

Kills bacteria that cause conjunctivitis.

Side Effects: 

• Burning
• Crusting in the corner of the eye
• Redness
• Itching
• Bad taste after use

Dosage: (Always follow doctors’ dosing instructions.)

• Typical dosing is 1 or 2 drops every 2 hours while awake for the first two days.
• After the first two days, apply 1 or 2 drops every 4 hours while awake for five days.

3. Best for Allergic Conjunctivitis: Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops

Protein, calcium, lipids, and other substances can build up on reusable lenses. Daily lenses are discarded after one use, which eliminates this possibility.

Acuvue Oasys are Dr. King’s top recommendation for people with dry eye. HydraLuxe Technology lets your tears hydrate the lens as well as your eye. This helps keep them moist all day.

Alaway Antihistamine eye drops from Bausch + Lomb is our pick for best allergy eye drops because it contains ketotifen, which effectively eliminates symptoms of allergic pink eye.⁵

Alaway lasts up to 12 hours and is affordable. You can buy it online or over-the-counter (OTC) from your local pharmacy.

Purpose: Temporary relief for itchy eyes due to environmental allergens (pollen, dust, grass, animal dander, etc).

Side Effects: 

• Burning/stinging
• Eye irritation
• Headache
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Sensitivity to light

Dosage: (Always follow doctors’ dosing instructions.)

• Apply 1 drop to the affected eye(s) twice daily (every 8-12 hours).

4. Best for Herpes Simplex Viral Conjunctivitis: ZIRGAN Ophthalmic Gel

Protein, calcium, lipids, and other substances can build up on reusable lenses. Daily lenses are discarded after one use, which eliminates this possibility.

Acuvue Oasys are Dr. King’s top recommendation for people with dry eye. HydraLuxe Technology lets your tears hydrate the lens as well as your eye. This helps keep them moist all day.

Bauch + Lomb ZIRGAN ganciclovir ophthalmic gel is a topical antiviral commonly prescribed for pink eye caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Both oral antiviral medication, eye drops, and topical ointment must be prescribed by a doctor. Its price can be expensive depending on your insurance provider.

Purpose:

Helps manage eye infections caused by viruses.

Side Effects: 

• Blurred vision
• Eye irritation
• Punctate keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
• Conjunctival hyperemia (dilation and redness of the eye’s blood vessels)

Dosage: (Always follow doctors’ dosing instructions.)

• 1 drop in affected eye(s) 5 times per day while awake
• After healing, reduce to 1 drop in affected eye(s) 3 times a day for 7 days

Comparing Eye Drops for Pink Eye

How to Apply Eye Drops Properly

Following your doctor’s dosing and usage instructions and the package label is vital.

Follow these steps when applying eye drops:

1. Wash your hands and face
2. Remove contact lenses and/or eye makeup
3. Tilt your head back
4. Look up
5. Pull your eye’s bottom eyelid down
6. Hold the bottle upside down and avoid touching the drop bottle tip to your eye
7. Apply the prescribed amount of drops to your eye
8. Quickly close your eye and apply pressure to your tear duct for 1 minute
9. Wait 5 minutes before applying other types of eye drops

After applying eye drops, reseal the drop bottle tightly and store it in a temperature-controlled area away from direct sunlight. Make sure to keep eye drops away from children.

Listen In Q&A Format

What Kind of Eye Drops Help Treat Pink Eye?

Vision Center Podcast

When Should You See a Doctor for Pink Eye?

Many cases of pink eye will heal themselves in one to two weeks and don’t require treatment. However, you should seek medical attention if you:

• Have eye pain
• Experience changes to your vision
• Are highly sensitive to light
• Symptoms have not subsided after a week or more
• Worsening symptoms
• Have a lot of pus or mucus in your eye
• Develop a fever
• Are around an infant with symptoms of an eye infection

Are Eye Drops for Pink Eye Safe to Use?

Topical antibiotics are safe and effective at minimizing symptoms and killing bacteria that cause bacterial conjunctivitis. However, studies are finding that many cases of pink eye don’t need a prescription and should be allowed to heal independently. 

One study found that eye doctors prescribe antibiotic eye drops to 60% of patients with pink eye symptoms, even though many don’t have bacterial conjunctivitis. Unnecessary antibiotics can end up prolonging symptoms.⁶

Homeopathic artificial tears, lubricating eye drops, and other OTC eye drops do not require approval by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), leaving the safety and efficacy of many eye drops untested.

How Do You Get Diagnosed With Pink Eye?

Pink eye can be tricky to diagnose because many eye conditions have the same symptoms. It can also be hard for an eye doctor to distinguish between different types of pink eye, resulting in the wrong treatment.

Viral pink eye is the most common eye infection and is highly contagious. Artificial tears can ease symptoms but cannot cure it. Similar to the common cold, it will subside on its own.

Bacterial pink eye is also very contagious. It is the only type treated with antibiotic drops.

Allergic conjunctivitis isn’t contagious and typically disappears independently after removing environmental triggers. Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine eye drops and artificial tears can help reduce symptoms.

Causes

Several factors can lead to conjunctivitis symptoms. Besides viral infection, the most common causes are bacterial infection and allergies. (dust, pollen, grass, animal dander, etc.)

Symptoms

Symptoms of pink eye include:

• Red eyes
• Burning and itchiness
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sticky pus-like discharge
• Swollen eyelids

Other Treatments

Conjunctivitis does not always need to be treated with eye drops. Several home remedies can help relieve symptoms, including:

• Applying a warm or cold compress to the affected eye(s)
• Eliminate environmental triggers that cause allergies
• Wash your hands and face
• Avoid touching your eyes
• Stop wearing contact lenses
• Don’t wear eye makeup
• Take ibuprofen or other OTC pain killers

Preventing the Spread of Pink Eye

Since both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious, preventing it from spreading to your friends, family, coworkers, and classmates is important.

Tips on preventing the spread of pink eye include:

• Wash your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes
• Don’t share items with others while you have an eye infection
• Change your pillowcases and sheets daily
• Stay home from work and school until symptoms have subsided
• Don’t wear contact lenses or eye makeup

Summary

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is a contagious eye condition caused by bacteria, viruses, or environmental allergies. Treatment usually requires specific eye drops depending on the underlying cause.

Antibacterial eye drops can only treat bacterial pink eye, while artificial tears, lubricating drops, and antihistamine eye drops can help relieve allergic and viral conjunctivitis symptoms.

Even without treatment, most cases of pink eye will resolve themselves in one or two weeks. Remember to consult your doctor if your symptoms remain or worsen beyond this period.