Pink eye
Redness and discharge can be caused by infection, allergy or irritation. Eye pain, light sensitivity or vision changes deserve prompt assessment.
Common symptoms
- Redness in one or both eyes
- Watery or mucus discharge
- Itching, burning or a gritty feeling
- Eyelid swelling or crusting
A useful care conversation
Describe when redness began, discharge, exposures and contact-lens use. An optional photo may help, but it cannot exclude a more serious eye problem. Stop wearing contact lenses while symptomatic and seek eye-care advice. Antibiotics do not treat viral pink eye.
When to seek more care
- Get prompt eye care for pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, marked redness or symptoms that worsen.
- A newborn with a red or draining eye needs medical care right away.
General educational information, not a diagnosis or a complete symptom checker. The right care depends on your circumstances.
For an emergency, call 911. Do not wait for a Tap reply or send a photo first.
About this information
Adapted from Tap’s published care-topic library. Original publication: 2025-01-01. Prepared for this guide: 2026-09-07. Preparation is not a clinical-review certification.
The clinician decides whether advice, testing, an examination or a prescription is appropriate. A listed topic does not guarantee remote treatment or a refill. Tap does not prescribe controlled substances.