Also known as pink eye, viral conjunctivitis causes inflammation and redness of the membrane that lines the white, outer portion of the eyeball. Viral pink eye does not usually lead to serious health effects, but the symptoms can be quite bothersome. Fortunately, the following home remedies can ease discomfort until the infection resolves on its own.
Non-prescription eye drops can help lubricate the eyes and alleviate some of the irritation associated with viral conjunctivitis. Keep in mind that these drops do not treat the underlying infection, and other medications (such as antibiotics and antihistamines) are also ineffective at treating viral conjunctivitis. Accordingly, eye drops are only used for symptom control.
When the eyes are irritated and inflamed, contact lenses can make the condition worse. In this case, you will need to use glasses until the infection clears. Additionally, you may want to dispose of or carefully clean any lenses you wore while infected to avoid further eye irritation.
Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can easily pass from one eye to another. It’s also quite easy to pass on this infection to others, which is why hygiene is so important. Regular eye cleaning can control the infection, while handwashing prevents you from transferring germs to other objects or people. Also, it is a good idea to avoid others while healing from pink eye, which can entail staying home from school or work.
Compresses can naturally ease the discomfort associated with conjunctivitis. They can also remove any gunk or discharge that is accumulated within your eyes as a result of the infection. When applying cool or warm compresses, be sure to use a clean cloth and ring out any excess water before placing the compress on your face.