Publications
Partners
To prevent infectious conjunctivitis:
• Do not share eye make-up.
• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers or solutions.
• Do not share towels, linens, pillows or handkerchiefs.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals.
To prevent the spread of pink eye:
• Keep your hands away from your eyes.
• Wash your hands before and after touching the eyes or face, or using medicine in your eyes.
• Change linen, towels and wash cloths daily, and do not share these items.
• Do not share eye make-up, contact lens equipment or eye medication.
• If your eye infection was caused by a bacteria or virus, throw away your old make-up and buy new products.
• Do not use eye make-up until the infection is fully cured, or you could re-infect yourself with the eye make-up products.
• Do not wear contact lenses until the infection is cured. Thoroughly clean your contact lenses before wearing them again.
• Do not attend day-care, school, go to work or use public swimming pools until symptoms of viral conjunctivitis have begun to improve, which should be within three to five days. Since there are no medications to treat viral conjunctivitis, it is important to prevent the spread of the infection. Home treatment of the symptoms only helps you feel more comfortable while the infection clears up.
• Do not attend day-care, school, or go to work until bacterial conjunctivitis has been treated for 24 hours with an antibiotic, which usually kills the bacteria.
• If eye drops or ointment is prescribed, be sure the dropper is clean and does not touch the eye, eyelid or any surface. Replace the dropper or bottle if their tips touch the eye or surrounding area.
• Seek treatment promptly.
