We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

What are the Different Types of Conjunctivitis Eye Drops?

A.E. Freeman
By A.E. Freeman
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Bacteria and viruses, allergies, or exposure to an irritant can cause conjunctivitis, or pink eye. As there are several causes of conjunctivitis, there are several types of conjunctivitis eye drops. Some conjunctivitis eye drops are available over the counter, while others require a prescription from a doctor. It's important that a patient find the cause of her conjunctivitis before using eye drops or another medication to treat it.

Several types of conjunctivitis eye drops may help relieve the symptoms of pink eye caused by an allergen. Decongestant eye drops constrict the blood vessels in the eye, reducing redness. Unfortunately, decongestant conjunctivitis eye drops can make the condition worse if they are used for longer than a few days.

Antihistamine eye drops can also relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis caused by allergies. A person can find antihistamine eye drops over the counter or by prescription. The drops soothe itchy eyes and reduce redness but need to be used often because the effects do not last very long. A person who wears contact lenses may need to avoid antihistamine eye drops or wear glasses while treating pink eye, as the drops can irritate eyes with contact lenses. The drops may sting when applied and may initially make the eyes redder.

Conjunctivitis eye drops made of corticosteroids may also be used to treat allergic pink eye. Corticosteroid drops can be risky, so a person should use them only with the permission and supervision of her doctor. Using corticosteroid drops can cause pressure buildup in the eye, which can affect a person's vision. Prolonged use can lead to cataracts or glaucoma.

Antibiotic conjunctivitis eye drops treat pink eye caused by bacteria. A common antibiotic eye drop is ciprofloxacin. Another common antibiotic is trimethoprim-polymyxin. Both effectively treat a wide range of bacteria. Typically, a person with bacterial conjunctivitis uses the drops for a week or 10 days. The drops need to be applied several times a day.

Even after the symptoms clear up, a person should continue to use the antibiotic eye drops to make sure the infection is completely cleared up and does not return. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic eye drop to treat a case of viral conjunctivitis, as it can be hard to tell whether the condition is caused by bacteria or a virus.

In cases where the conjunctivitis is caused by the herpes virus, a doctor may prescribe trifluridine eye drops. Trifluridine drops need to be applied every two hours when a person is awake. The drops can cause blurred vision, so a person should take care before driving when using them.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Lostnfound — On Jul 14, 2014

I've used the homeopathic conjunctivitis eye drops before. I got them at the drugstore when I couldn't afford to see the eye doctor. They did help. I knew I had pink eye, and knew I couldn't get antibiotic drops without a prescription, so I had to do what I could. If I'd waited another day, I doubt the homeopathic drops would have done much good, but I went on and started on them, and they did ease the symptoms.

If I'd been able to afford the copay, I'd have gone to the eye doctor, but I was really broke, so I had to do the best I could. I did talk to the pharmacist, and she advised the drops. She said they certainly wouldn't hurt me, and she knew they had helped people before. I'd use the homeopathic drops again if I thought I caught the infection in time.

By Grivusangel — On Jul 13, 2014

When I had conjunctivitis, my doctor prescribed antibiotic/cortisone drops. He said he did that because the antibiotics were necessary for my infection, but the steroid would ease the *intense* itching. And it was intense. And hit suddenly.

I was driving back to work from lunch and my left eye itched a little. I rubbed it and that's all she wrote. I suddenly had incredible itching in that eye and by the time I got to the office, I was having discharge and it was as red as it could be.

Fortunately, my eye doctor was open until 5:30 p.m. and I got to his office. He said he wasn't sure why it happened so suddenly, but he could help. He rinsed my eye with saline, which eased some of the itching and then put the drops in. I had to use them for three more days. But they helped.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.