Treating Pink Eye
What you can do to treat conjunctivitis

Conjunctiva, the thin, clear membrane over the white part of the eye, also lines the eyelids. Inflammation of this membrane is called conjunctivitis. Pink eye, which is its common name, can refer either to all forms of conjunctivitis or to contagious forms.

Pink Eye Symptoms and Signs

The most obvious symptom of conjunctivitis is, obviously, a pink eye. Inflammation causes the pink or red color to occur, and conjunctivitis may also cause your eye to hurt or itch. You can pinpoint which type of pink eye you have based on your symptoms. For example, viral conjunctivitis usually affects only one eye and causes excessive eye watering and a light discharge. On the other hand, bacterial conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes a heavy discharge, sometimes greenish.
Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes and causes itching and redness in the eyes and sometimes the nose, as well as excessive tearing. Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) usually affects both eyes and causes contact lens intolerance, itching, a heavy discharge, tearing and red bumps on the underside of the eyelids.
To find the cause and then choose an appropriate treatment, your doctor will examine your eyes, ask some questions, and possibly collect a sample on a swab to send out for analysis.
What Causes Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?
Conjunctivitis might be triggered by several causes. It could be caused by a virus, bacteria, an allergic reaction (to dust, pollen, smoke, fumes or chemicals) or, in the case of giant papillary conjunctivitis, a foreign body on the eye, typically a contact lens. Bacterial and viral systemic infections also may cause conjunctivitis.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Treatment

Your first line of defense is to avoid the cause of conjunctivitis. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis spread easily to others. To avoid spreading pink eye to others always wash your hands frequently and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. Don't share washcloths, towels or pillowcases with anyone else, and wash these items after each use. In addition, don't share eyedrops or cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow or mascara. Replace them after you're healed, to avoid re-infection.
It is unlikely that you'd spread pink eye just by kissing someone, but keep in mind that having your eyes close to someone else's increases the chance of your eye fluids coming into contact with their eyes and infecting them with the bacteria or virus that caused your own pink eye. If contact lenses are the culprit, your medical practitioner may recommend that you discontinue contact lens wear during this time or replace your contact lenses after you're healed. Warm compresses may help soothe your eyes if you have viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.

Medication

Although doctors don't normally prescribe medication for viral conjunctivitis because it usually clears up on its own, antibiotic eyedrops will alleviate bacterial conjunctivitis, whereas antihistamine allergy pills or eyedrops will help control allergic conjunctivitis symptoms.