Your red, watery, irritated eyes are due to a viral infection, often called “pink eye”. Its like having the common cold, but in your eyes. Just like the common cold, antibiotics are not effective. Antibiotics cure bacteria infections, unfortunately they are useless against viral infections. Much like the common cold, your symptoms will “peak” after several days, then you can expect an improvement in your symptoms soon after.
The best treatments, to improve you symptoms, and calm the inflammation caused by this virus, is to use ice cold compresses across your closed eyes for 3-5 minutes at a time, 4-6 times a day.
Also, the use of preservative free artificial tears (Dr. Doyle prefers Systaine or Refresh brands), every 1-2 hours for the next week.
Never share eye drops or touch the tip of the bottle to your eyes or fingers.
Frequent hand washing and careful diligence not to touch your eyes/face is also encouraged.
Do not wipe your nose and eyes with the same tissue.
Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses for 1-2 weeks. Dr. Doyle will let you know when you can resume normal contact lens use.
Dispose any contact lenses you may have used over the past several days.
Avoid shaking hands or hugging others for the next several days.
If at all possible, do not go into work for the next several days.
Viral eye infections are highly contagious. Once you get home, disinfect all hard surfaces you may have come into contact with in the past few days, with rubbing alcohol, lysol, or a bleach solution. Clean your phone, counter tops, desk tops, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, computer, glasses and sunglasses, as well as any other hard surfaces you may have touched at home or at work.
Wash your towels, sheets, and pillow cases. And do not share bedding or towels with family/friends for 1-2 weeks, as viral eye infections are very contagious.
Wash any eye makeup brushes or sponges with Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and let air dry. Discard any mascara you may have used within the past several days.
If you do not experience any improvement in symptoms within 1 week, please return to our office for a follow up appointment.
