<p>I seem to have conjunctivitis of some kind in one eye.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice on treating it with over-the-counter type methods? I seem to recall that eyewash (boric acid?) was one thing to do…</p>
<p>Tough without antibiotic eyedrops, if it is pink eye etc. If it is just irritated then hot compresses can help</p>
<p>You should have it looked at. If it is bacterial based the antibiotic drops will really help. If it is viral you just have to wait it out. For me, I don’t mess around with my eyes and I’d get it looked at. If you wear contacts, throw out the last pair you were wearing.</p>
<p>It’s weird: I don’t have tearing, scratchiness, or vision problems, but it is red, I have some occasional pain, and there is some discharge at night, although not a lot.</p>
<p>I also have a cold…but it’s really only one eye.</p>
<p>I don’t wear contacts.</p>
<p>I don’t have health insurance, so going to a doctor is a last resort. I do everything I can to cure myself first.</p>
<p>My daughter’s viral infection came right at the end of a cold. If I remember correctly, the bacterial has a lot more discharge than the viral. </p>
<p>From the Mayo Clinic website:
Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis may affect one or both eyes. Viral conjunctivitis usually produces a watery or mucous discharge. Bacterial conjunctivitis often produces a thicker, yellow-green discharge and may be associated with a respiratory infection or with a sore throat. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be associated with colds.</p>
<p>[Pink</a> eye (conjunctivitis): Causes - MayoClinic.com](<a href=“Pink eye (conjunctivitis) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic”>Pink eye (conjunctivitis) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic)</p>
<p>Doctors of optometry are usually qualified to make the diagnosis and prescribe medication. If this does not improve in a day or so, you should have it looked at…</p>
<p>If it is bacterial, it is easy to treat. If viral, there’s not much you can do, just be aware that it is extremely contagious.</p>
<p>Conjunctivitis with or just at the end of cold is very likely viral and will take care of itself. I’d wait it out a few days to see if things start to improve before jumping to an antibiotic. I had a bad experience using antibiotic eye drops–turned out I was allergic to them and I ended up with even worse eye irritation. Since then I’ve always used patience as my medicine of first resort when it comes to my eyes, and they’ve always cleared up on their own. Just keep your hands off you eyes except to gently wipe away any encrustation with a tissue moistened with warm water.</p>
<p>If it is bacterial, the discharge will be thick and yellow,eye will itch and be watery.
You will wake up in the a.m. with your eyes glued together! </p>
<p>Go to your local pharmacy and ask if there is an over th counter solution that will help.</p>
<p>Your eyesight is more precious than money.</p>
<p>My optometrist once told me that I could put neosporin in my eye if I was sure I had bacterial conjunctivitis. I have never done it though, and would want definite medical advice before I took such a step. Still, for the next time…</p>
<p>Try HypoTears - recommended to me years ago by a pediatric nurse.</p>
<p><a href=“http://kids.emedtv.com/pink-eye/when-to-see-your-doctor-for-pink-eye.html[/url]”>http://kids.emedtv.com/pink-eye/when-to-see-your-doctor-for-pink-eye.html</a></p>
<p>HypoTears is just one of many products for dry eye. It does not use benzalkonium chloride, and thus will be good if your eye is sensitive or for long term use.</p>
<p>In terms of OTC products for conjunctivitis, there isn’t really much. There are some products which will help with the redness, irritation and itchiness, and that is about it.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of neosporin being used in the eye. I would be cautious about it. I would be worried about how it would dissolve.</p>
<p>I have had conjunctivitis of some sort a few times. The first time, I tried the antibiotic drops the doctor prescribed, and I had an allergic reaction to them. Since that time, when I feel it coming on (usually at the end of a cold), I get a NEW bottle of saline eye drops (with no other chemicals or medications added) and use them every hour on the hour. This usually does the trick for me in a day or less if I catch it early. Once I have it conquered, I discard the saline eye drop bottle to avoid using it again.</p>
<p>I, too, value my eyes and I wouldn’t delay too long in getting the doctor if that didn’t work quickly.</p>
<p>Please DON’T use Neosporin (or any other ointment) that is not intended for opthalmic treatment!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I think that it is viral, since the symptoms are relatively mild and the discharge is thin. It seems to be gradually improving, after spreading to the second eye. </p>
<p>If I were experiencing significant pain or any vision issues, I’d go to a doctor right away. For now, I think I’ll wait and see, and try the saline solution.</p>
<p>I am loath to put anything in my eyes, including stuff like Visine. (Constricting blood vessels cannot be a good thing, IMHO.)</p>
<p>Practice good aseptic technique. Don’t touch your eyes, wash your bedding in hot water, your pillow cases every day until you are clear; wash your wash cloths after each use.
Apply hot compresses to your eye every hour. If it doesn’t clear up or gets thick and gooey then seek medical care.</p>
<p>Also, you might have a sinus infection - perhaps a decongestant & anithistimine can help, too.</p>
<p>Please don’t fool around with your eyes. See a doctor.</p>
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<p>Thanks for your concern, but that simply is not an option for the uninsured with low income. We don’t run to the doctor every time we have symptoms. We take sensible steps and wait for things to clear up on their own. Usually they do. I cannot afford to pay a couple hundred dollars to be told I have viral conjunctivis and I should do what is suggested in post #16 and wait, or to be prescribed antibiotic eyedrops that will cost me yet more (and won’t do anything since it’s viral anyway, but most patients complain if they don’t get a prescription so out comes the pad). </p>
<p>Despite what some people claim, the uninsured people I know do not run to the ER every time they have a sore throat. 
</p>
<p>I’m not nuts, and I too care about my eyes. If the symptoms were severe or indicated something that could be addressed only by medication, I’d bite the bullet and go.</p>