Understanding Pink Eye - Prevention

How Can I Prevent Pink Eye?

Bacterial and viral pink eye are highly contagious. Unless you observe the following preventive measures the condition will quickly spread to other people.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Keep your hands away from the infected eye.
• Do not share washcloths, towels, pillowcases, or handkerchiefs with others, including family members.
• Change your washcloth, towel, and pillowcase after each use, and wash them thoroughly.
• Do not use other people's eye drops or cosmetics, particularly eyeliner pencils and mascara.

If your child gets pink eye, keep him or her out of school for a few days. Once one student comes down with pink eye, it is not uncommon for it to spread to an entire class.

Allergic pink eye can be prevented by avoiding those things that trigger the condition. New treatments for allergy sufferers (pills and eye drops) can prevent symptoms before they occur. Some patients benefit from skin testing that identifies specific sensitivities that can be blocked with regular injections (immune therapy).

Discontinuation of contact lens use can prevent giant papillary conjunctivitis.