How to treat conjunctivitis: safe solutions, rinsing, and care

For home eye cleansing for conjunctivitis, sterile 0.9% saline solution of sodium chloride or clean, boiled and cooled water is usually sufficient. These are used to gently remove mucus, pus, and dried crusts from the eyelids and eyelashes. A clean, cold compress can be used to reduce irritation and swelling, and artificial tears can be used to relieve dryness and a gritty sensation. These remedies relieve symptoms and cleanse the eye, but are not a substitute for treating the underlying cause of conjunctivitis. [1] [2]

Do not treat the eye with chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol solutions, or other household antiseptics. Such substances are not intended for direct contact with the cornea and conjunctiva: hydrogen peroxide without neutralization can cause burning and corneal damage, and chlorhexidine contact with the eye has been described as a cause of severe chemical keratitis. [3] [4]

Antibiotic, antiallergic, antiviral, and especially corticosteroid eye drops are no longer just a routine treatment, but a drug therapy chosen depending on the cause of the inflammation. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends avoiding the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroids: viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, and steroids can worsen some viral infections. [5]

If severe pain, severe photophobia, persistent vision loss, severe redness, or worsening rather than improving are present, home treatment alone is insufficient – a doctor's examination is necessary. A newborn with signs of conjunctivitis should be seen by a doctor immediately. [6]

Briefly: what you can and can’t use to treat your eyes

Means	Can?	For what
Sterile sodium chloride 0.9%	Yes	Removal of pus, mucus, crusts
Boiled and cooled water	Yes	Cleansing of eyelids and eyelashes
Clean cold compress	Yes	Reducing swelling and discomfort
Artificial tears	Yes	Dryness, burning, sandy sensation
Antibiotic drops	Only by indication	Bacterial infection
Antiallergic drops	According to the readings	Allergic conjunctivitis
Corticosteroid drops	Only under the supervision of a physician	Certain severe forms
Hydrogen peroxide	No	May damage the eye
Chlorhexidine household/skin	No	Risk of chemical damage
Tea and chamomile	Not recommended	No advantage over standard care; reactions may occur
Homemade solutions of salt and antiseptics	Not recommended	Concentration and sterility cannot be guaranteed

[7]

What is the best way to wash your eyes for conjunctivitis?

The most universal option for removing discharge is sterile saline solution of 0.9% sodium chloride. Current NHS guidelines on eye infections specifically recommend it as a means of cleansing the eyelids and removing crusts in conjunctivitis. [8]

A sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution is also available as a special ophthalmic irrigation solution. Its purpose is to mechanically rinse the surface of the eye; it is suitable for both adults and children. [9]

It's important to understand that saline solution is not an antibiotic or antiviral drug. Its primary purpose for conjunctivitis is to flush out accumulated mucus and facilitate eye hygiene. It does not, simply by using it, more quickly eliminate adenovirus or cure a bacterial infection. [10]

An alternative is boiled water, completely cooled beforehand. The NHS recommends this method for removing crust from eyelids and eyelashes: boil the water, let it cool, and then use a clean cotton ball for each eye. [11]

Moorfields Eye Hospital recommends regularly cleaning sticky discharge with a clean cloth dampened with warm water. It's important to distinguish between warm water used to soften the discharge and warming the eye with heat: the latter is not a necessary treatment for conjunctivitis. [12]

Therefore, for most people, there is no need to purchase numerous "antiseptic solutions for conjunctivitis." Modern home care is much simpler: remove discharge with a safe solution, reduce irritation, and simultaneously treat the identified cause of the disease if specific therapy is truly needed. [13]

Home care products

Task	Preferred option	What to expect from him
Remove pus	Sterile NaCl 0.9%	Mechanical cleaning
Remove dried crusts	Cooled boiled water	Softens and removes secretions
Reduce swelling	Cold clean compress	Symptomatic relief
Reduce dryness and sand	Artificial tears	Surface moistening
Destroy the virus	Flushing doesn't do that.	Usually the immune system clears the infection
Treat bacteria	Antibiotic only if indicated	Specific therapy

[14]

How to properly clean your eyes if you have conjunctivitis

The first rule is to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyelids or using eye drops. Afterward, wash your hands again, as viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are easily spread through secretions. [15]

To remove discharge, the CDC recommends using a clean, damp cloth or a new cotton ball. Dried or runny discharge can be removed several times throughout the day as needed. [16]

If cotton pads or swabs are used, separate clean material is needed for each eye. Discard used disposable material; wash reusable cloths with hot water and detergent after the procedure. [17]

Avoid vigorously rubbing your eye, trying to squeeze out pus from under your eyelid, or picking at any tightly attached lesions. The CDC specifically recommends avoiding rubbing your eyes, as this can increase irritation and spread the infection to your other eye. [18]

If medicated drops are prescribed after cleansing, do not allow the tip of the bottle to touch your eyelashes, skin, or eye. Moorfields warns that contact of the tip with the eye's surface may contaminate the medication. [19]

The CDC also recommends avoiding the sharing of eye medications and not transferring products used in an infected eye to the healthy eye. If a doctor has specifically prescribed a medication for both eyes, follow the instructions and avoid touching the eyelid or eyelashes with the medication. [20]

Simple processing algorithm

Step	What to do
1	Wash your hands
2	Prepare sterile saline solution or cooled boiled water
3	Take a clean cotton pad/cloth
4	Carefully remove discharge and crusts
5	Use new material for the second eye.
6	Throw away disposable material or send the fabric to the wash
7	If necessary, administer the prescribed medication.
8	Do not touch the tip of the bottle to your eye.
9	Wash your hands again

[21]

Is it necessary to rinse the eye or is it enough to wipe the eyelids?

For common conjunctivitis, it's more common to cleanse the eyelids, eyelashes, and discharge around the eye rather than repeatedly flooding the conjunctival sac with large amounts of solution. This is the home approach recommended by the CDC and NHS: remove secretions and crusts with a damp, clean cloth. [22] [23]

Full irrigation with sterile saline is also possible and is used in ophthalmology. However, it is not necessary to perform it regularly for every patient with mild conjunctivitis: the degree of cleansing is determined by the amount of discharge and the specific clinical situation. [24]

In cases of severe purulent discharge, mechanical cleansing is particularly helpful—the secretion should not constantly dry on the eyelashes and stick the eyelids together. NHS Lothian considers cleansing with saline or cooled boiled water as the first line of self-care for infectious conjunctivitis. [25]

With predominantly watery viral conjunctivitis, when crusting is almost absent, frequent wiping may not be necessary at all. A cold compress and artificial tears may provide greater comfort. [26]

Therefore, "cleanse the eye every hour" is not a universal medical recommendation. Cleansing is performed as needed, when discharge appears, and the specific schedule for using eye drops is determined by the instructions or a doctor's prescription. [27]

How to treat eyes for different types of conjunctivitis

For viral conjunctivitis

For common viral conjunctivitis, the basic home treatments include removing discharge, cold compresses, and artificial tears. Most viral cases resolve on their own, so antibacterial solutions are not a standard treatment. [28]

Antibiotics are not effective against adenoviruses and other common viral causes of conjunctivitis. The American Academy of Ophthalmology therefore recommends avoiding their indiscriminate use.[29]

Viral conjunctivitis is often highly contagious. Therefore, "treatment" includes not only the eye but also hygiene: hand washing, separate towels and pillowcases, avoiding sharing cosmetics and eye drops. [30]

You should not attempt to "disinfect" the eye with an aggressive antiseptic. The conjunctiva and cornea are significantly more sensitive than the skin, so a product intended for use on hands or skin is not safe for the eyes. In particular, a modern review from 2026 describes severe corneal damage after chlorhexidine came into contact with the eye. [31]

Some viral eye diseases, primarily those associated with the herpes simplex virus or the varicella-zoster virus, require separate treatment. If blisters appear around the eye, pain, severe photophobia, or blurred vision, treatment with saline alone is inappropriate. [32]

For bacterial conjunctivitis

For bacterial infections, saline or cooled boiled water are used primarily to remove purulent discharge and crusts. This helps keep the eyelids clean, but does not replace antibiotics in situations where they are indicated. [33]

Mild bacterial conjunctivitis is often self-limiting, so antibiotics are not always required. The American Academy of Ophthalmology specifically warns against automatically prescribing antibiotics to every patient with red eye. [34]

For more severe bacterial infections, your doctor may prescribe an ophthalmic antibiotic in drops or ointment. The specific medication and duration of treatment should not be replaced by home antiseptics. [35]

Contact lens wearers should exercise particular caution. The CDC notes that contact lens wearers with bacterial conjunctivitis are at higher risk for bacterial keratitis, so lenses should be removed and an eye doctor should be consulted promptly. [36]

Very profuse, rapidly forming pus, marked swelling, and rapid deterioration require urgent evaluation, as gonococcal conjunctivitis can be sight-threatening and requires systemic treatment, not just topical treatment.[37]

For allergic conjunctivitis

For the allergic form, cleaning the eye can remove allergens from the eyelids, but the main means of relief are cold compresses, artificial tears, and avoiding contact with the allergen.[38]

Allergic conjunctivitis is particularly characterized by itching. Rubbing the eyes is not recommended, as mechanical irritation aggravates symptoms. [39]

Artificial tears can be cooled if the instructions for the specific product allow it: the cold additionally reduces discomfort. The American Academy of Ophthalmology considers cooled artificial tears and cold compresses as components of treatment for seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis. [40]

For more severe allergies, ophthalmic antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers are used. This is a specific treatment, not a simple eye wash. [41]

Corticosteroids can indeed be used for severe allergic inflammation, but only for limited periods under specialist supervision. Hormonal drops left at home should not be used independently. [42]

Treatment depending on the cause

Cause	How to clean	What else is used?
Viral	Saline solution/cooled boiled water for discharge	Cold compress, artificial tears
Bacterial	Saline solution to remove pus	Antibiotic if indicated
Allergic	If necessary, wash away allergens/secretions	Cold, artificial tears, anti-allergy medications
Irritable	Eliminate the irritant	The tactics depend on the substance
Herpetic	Home cleansing is not a substitute for treatment.	Antiviral therapy may be needed.

[43]

Can I rinse my eyes with saline solution if I have conjunctivitis?

Yes. Sterile saline solution 0.9% sodium chloride is one of the safest options for clearing discharge and crusts from the eyes. The current NHS 2026 guidance specifically lists it as a first-line treatment for eyelid cleansing in infectious conjunctivitis. [44]

It is important to use a pre-prepared sterile solution, especially if the liquid will be applied directly to the eye. Ophthalmic sodium chloride 0.9% is available in sterile disposable containers and is officially intended for ocular irrigation. [45]

Mixing salt and water for eye drops is less practical: it's impossible to reliably ensure sterility and precise concentration at home. When a ready-made saline solution isn't available, authoritative guidelines prefer to recommend simply boiled and cooled water for removing crusts. [46]

Saline solution does not perform the same function as artificial tears. It is primarily useful for cleansing and irrigation; if dryness and burning persist, the CDC recommends artificial tears. [47]

Also, saline solution does not render bacterial conjunctivitis "sterile" and does not reduce viral infection as an antiviral agent. It is an auxiliary hygiene measure. [48]

Can I treat my eyes with chlorhexidine?

Regular chlorhexidine should not be used on the surface of the eye for conjunctivitis. Forms of the drug intended for use on skin and mucous membranes outside the eye cannot be automatically used as an ophthalmic solution. [49]

A review of cases of chemical corneal injury published in 2026 found that chlorhexidine in the eye can cause toxic keratitis and severe vision loss. The authors collected dozens of cases of severe injury, some of which required corneal transplants. [50]

This doesn't mean that the chlorhexidine molecule is never used in ophthalmology: specially diluted and prepared ophthalmic preparations can be used by specialists, for example, for certain corneal infections. But this is fundamentally different from the household antiseptic found in your medicine cabinet. [51]

For ordinary conjunctivitis, such a risk is completely unjustified, since safe means for removing discharge already exist - sterile sodium chloride 0.9% or cooled boiled water. [52]

If chlorhexidine accidentally comes into direct contact with the eye and causes severe burning, pain, redness, or blurred vision, the eye should be rinsed with copious amounts of water and medical evaluation should be sought if symptoms persist. The general principle for contact with an irritating chemical is immediate, copious irrigation. [53]

Can you rinse your eyes with hydrogen peroxide?

No. Regular hydrogen peroxide should not be used as eye drops or as a rinse for an inflamed eye. The FDA warns that even hydrogen peroxide solutions specifically designed for disinfecting contact lenses should not be placed directly into the eye without first being neutralized. [54]

Direct contact of unneutralized hydrogen peroxide with the eye can cause severe burning, irritation, and damage to the cornea. Therefore, using pharmacy-grade 3% hydrogen peroxide as an "antiseptic for conjunctivitis" is medically unjustified. [55]

It's important not to confuse contact lens disinfection with eye care. In specialized systems, the peroxide is chemically neutralized in a designated container before the lens comes into contact with the eye again. [56]

If hydrogen peroxide has already entered the eye, Poison Control recommends immediately rinsing with copious amounts of water for 15-20 minutes. If pain, vision changes, severe redness, or swelling persists, seek immediate ophthalmological evaluation. [57]

Thus, peroxide is not a treatment for conjunctivitis, but a substance whose accidental contact with the surface of the eye requires rinsing. [58]

Can furacilin be used for conjunctivitis?

Furacilin is not a primary home care treatment recommended by current international guidelines for common conjunctivitis. Current recommendations from the CDC, NHS, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasize the safe removal of discharge with sterile saline or water, cold compresses, artificial tears, and specific treatment of the underlying cause. [59] [60]

This does not mean that any ophthalmic use of nitrofural is historically or locally impossible. However, making a home-made solution from tablets, adjusting the concentration yourself, is less safe than using a ready-made sterile ophthalmic solution: for ophthalmic use, sterility, concentration, and the absence of particles are particularly important. [61]

Therefore, when asking “how to treat eyes right now,” a more universal choice is sterile sodium chloride 0.9%, and if it is not available, boiled cooled water is used to cleanse the eyelids. [62]

If a specific registered ophthalmic antiseptic preparation is prescribed by a physician, it is used according to the instructions as a medicinal product. This does not apply to homemade solutions or preparations in other dosage forms. [63]

Can I wash my eyes with tea or chamomile?

Tea and chamomile infusions offer no advantages over sterile saline or plain water as standard home remedies for eye irritation. They are not included in current CDC, NHS, or American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines for home care for conjunctivitis. [64]

Chamomile is not always safe for the eyes. A published study described allergic conjunctivitis after rinsing the eyes with chamomile infusion, including cases of eyelid swelling; the allergic reaction was confirmed by testing. [65]

With black tea, the "natural means safe" principle also cannot be applied. Staining of the anterior corneal stroma has been described after a hot tea compress in cases of corneal epithelial damage. [66]

Experimental studies have indeed examined the antibacterial properties of tea and chamomile extracts, but, for example, the study of black tea for bacterial conjunctivitis was conducted on a rabbit model. Such data do not prove the effectiveness of home-brewed tea in humans. [67]

Therefore, a tea bag or herbal infusion is not needed when standardized and more predictable methods are available: saline solution for cleansing, a clean compress, and a medicine chosen for the cause of the disease.[68]

Folk and household remedies

Means	Grade
Chamomile infusion	May cause allergic conjunctivitis
Black tea	No proven benefit over standard care
Hot tea compresses	Not recommended
Homemade salt water	It is better to replace with sterile NaCl 0.9%
Sterile saline solution	Standard cleaning option
Boiled cooled water	Suitable for removing crusts

[69]

Cold or warm compress: which is better?

To reduce inflammation, swelling, and discomfort in most common cases of conjunctivitis, the CDC recommends a cold compress. It is especially helpful for allergic conjunctivitis, which causes severe itching and swelling. [70]

The compress must be clean. If the conjunctivitis is infectious, the cloth should not be shared with another person after the procedure; it must be washed, as the discharge may contain infectious material. [71]

Warm water may be more helpful for loosening dried purulent or mucous discharge from eyelashes. Moorfields recommends a clean cloth dampened with warm water for regularly cleaning away sticky discharge. [72]

Thus, the goals are different: cold is to reduce swelling and irritation; moderately warm water is to help remove crusts. There is no need to warm the eye with heat to "kill the infection." [73]

If the compress increases pain, significant photophobia develops, or vision deteriorates, further home treatment should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted. [74]

Artificial tears for conjunctivitis

Artificial tears can be used to reduce dryness, burning, and a gritty sensation in many uncomplicated forms of conjunctivitis. The CDC lists them, along with cold compresses, as essential symptomatic treatment. [75]

They are not antiseptic. In viral conjunctivitis, artificial tears do not kill the virus and do not necessarily shorten the duration of the illness; their purpose is to make the ocular surface more comfortable. [76]

In allergic conjunctivitis, artificial tears can also help mechanically reduce the concentration of allergens on the ocular surface and relieve symptoms. The American Academy of Ophthalmology includes chilled artificial tears in its recommendations for the symptomatic treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. [77]

If the drops cause significant burning or worsening of the condition, discontinue use and check the composition. Some patients are sensitive to preservatives in ophthalmic preparations, and drug-induced irritation itself is one of the causes of conjunctivitis. [78]

You should not share a bottle of artificial tears with another person if you have infectious conjunctivitis. The CDC classifies eye drops as personal items that should not be shared. [79]

How to treat a child's eyes with conjunctivitis

To remove crusts from a child, you can also use clean, boiled, cooled water or sterile saline solution. The principle is the same: clean hands, separate material for each eye, and carefully remove any discharge. [80]

Medicated eye drops for a child are selected based on their age and the suspected cause of the illness. Do not automatically use a medication previously prescribed to an adult family member or another child. [81]

In children, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are often difficult to distinguish based on appearance alone. Therefore, the presence of yellow discharge alone is not a reason to mix several antibiotics or antiseptics. [82]

If the child wears contact lenses, they should be removed until symptoms have completely resolved or until the ophthalmologist has given the go-ahead. [83]

The age of the newborn is especially important. The CDC emphasizes that newborns with signs of conjunctivitis should be examined by a doctor immediately, as some infections can seriously damage the eye or have systemic consequences. [84]

How to wash a newborn's eyes

In a newborn, sterile saline solution can be used to remove the discharge, but this alone should not replace a medical examination. The CDC specifically states that rinsing the infected eye with saline removes the resulting discharge. [85]

Neonatal conjunctivitis can be caused by common bacteria, chlamydia, gonococci, viruses, irritation, or obstruction of the tear duct. The external symptoms of these different causes can be very similar. [86]

In case of gonococcal infection, simple cleansing with saline solution is not enough: without systemic treatment, corneal ulcers and blindness are possible. [87]

In the case of chlamydial infection, eye drops also do not solve the entire problem - systemic therapy is required, since the infection may be present in other parts of the body. [88]

Therefore, the rule for a newborn is different from an adult: discharge can be carefully removed, but a red, swollen or purulent eye should be assessed by a doctor without delay. [89]

Contact lenses and eye treatment

Contact lenses should be removed during any active conjunctivitis. The CDC recommends not wearing them again until symptoms resolve or your eye doctor clears you for contact lens wear.[90]

Moorfields Eye Hospital makes the rule even broader: contact lenses should not be used in any type of conjunctivitis.[91]

Do not rinse contact lenses with saline solution and consider them disinfected. Saline solution is not a complete contact lens disinfection system; only lens care products designed for specific lenses should be used. [92]

Rinsing contact lenses with water is especially dangerous. The FDA warns that contact with lenses, even with tap, bottled, or distilled water, carries a risk of severe acanthamoeba keratitis. [93]

The CDC recommends discarding disposable lenses and cases used during infectious conjunctivitis; reusable products should be reprocessed according to the manufacturer's and physician's guidelines.[94]

If a lens wearer experiences pain, photophobia, or blurred vision, prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is warranted to rule out infectious keratitis, rather than simply continuing to flush the eye at home.[95]

When is it really necessary to rinse your eyes with tap water?

For routine treatment of common conjunctivitis, it's best to use saline or clean, prepared water. However, if a chemical is involved, the situation is completely different: irrigation should begin immediately with any available clean, running water. Delaying the search for a sterile solution is more dangerous than immediately beginning irrigation. [96]

Poison Control recommends rinsing the eye after chemical exposure continuously for at least 15-20 minutes, removing contact lenses and blinking while rinsing if possible.[97]

This also applies to accidental contact with hydrogen peroxide, household cleaner, or other irritating chemicals. After initial irrigation, if pain, blurred vision, swelling, or severe redness persists, prompt examination is necessary. [98]

Therefore, the advice to "never rinse your eye with tap water" is too categorical. There are more suitable options for routine eye hygiene, but in the case of a chemical burn, immediate flushing with water can preserve vision. [99]

When eye treatment alone is not enough

Treatment and cleaning should not mask signs of a more serious condition. Severe pain is not considered a common symptom of mild conjunctivitis and warrants medical evaluation. [100]

Severe photophobia is also a red flag. Its combination with pain and visual impairment is particularly worrisome. [101]

Vision with simple conjunctivitis may temporarily appear blurry due to tears or discharge. If the blurring persists after removing the discharge, the CDC recommends seeking medical attention. [102]

Very intense redness, worsening of symptoms or lack of expected positive dynamics also require re-diagnosis. [103]

Patients with weakened immune systems have a lower threshold for seeking medical attention because they have a higher risk of developing an atypical or severe infection. [104]

Newborns are a special case: even if the discharge can be easily removed with saline, signs of conjunctivitis require immediate medical examination. [105]

When do you need a doctor?

Sign	What to do
Severe pain	Seek medical attention
Severe photophobia	Doctor's examination
Persistent vision loss	Urgent assessment
Very strong redness	Clarify the diagnosis
Symptoms are getting worse	Re-examination
No improvement	Reconsider the reason
Contact lenses + pain	Rule out keratitis
Newborn	Inspection immediately

[106]

What is often misunderstood

Myth: If you have conjunctivitis, you must disinfect your eyes with a strong antiseptic. No. Standard home care is based on gentle cleansing and symptomatic treatment, but harsh skin antiseptics can damage the cornea. [107]

Myth: The more often you rinse your eye, the faster the virus will disappear. Rinsing removes secretions, but viral conjunctivitis usually resolves due to an immune response; rinsing alone is not an antiviral therapy. [108]

Myth: Peroxide is safe because it's used to treat contact lenses. Peroxide lens systems are only safe after chemical neutralization; the FDA prohibits placing unneutralized solution directly into the eye. [109]

Myth: Chamomile is safer than over-the-counter solutions because it's natural. Allergic conjunctivitis and eyelid swelling have been reported immediately after rinsing eyes with chamomile. [110]

Myth: Saline solution treats bacterial conjunctivitis. Saline solution is useful for hygiene and drainage, but it does not replace specific antibiotic therapy where it is truly indicated. [111]

Myth: If antibiotic drops are prescribed, there is no need to drain the pus. Even with heavy discharge, eyelid hygiene remains a useful part of care, regardless of whether medication is prescribed. [112]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to treat eyes with conjunctivitis?

For routine cleaning, use a sterile 0.9% saline solution of sodium chloride or cooled boiled water. These are suitable for removing discharge and crusts. [113]

Can you rinse your eyes with saline solution?

Yes, sterile sodium chloride 0.9% is officially used as an ocular irrigation solution.[114]

Can you rinse your eyes with regular water?

The NHS recommends using boiled and completely cooled water to cleanse the eyelids. In the case of chemical contact, however, immediately use available running water without waiting for a sterile solution. [115] [116]

Can you treat your eyes with chlorhexidine?

Regular cutaneous chlorhexidine – no. Contact with the surface of the eye can cause toxic keratitis and severe corneal damage. [117]

Can hydrogen peroxide be used?

No. Unneutralized peroxide causes burning, irritation, and can damage the cornea.[118]

Can you wash your eyes with furacilin?

For standard home care, current international recommendations recommend sterile saline or cooled boiled water. Homemade tablet solutions offer no advantages in sterility or precision. [119]

Can you wash your eyes with tea?

As a standard treatment, it's not worth it. There's no proven advantage over saline, and hot tea compresses have been reported to have adverse effects on damaged corneas. [120]

Can chamomile be used?

It's best not to use it. Chamomile itself can trigger allergic conjunctivitis in sensitive individuals. [121]

How to remove pus from eyelashes?

With sterile saline or clean cooled boiled water and a separate clean cotton material. [122]

Do I need to rinse both eyes?

Clean the eye that has discharge, using separate clean material for each eye. Do not transfer contaminated tissue or eye products from the affected eye to the healthy eye. [123]

How should I treat my eye before instilling medication?

If there are crusts or pus, they can be carefully removed first with saline solution or cooled boiled water. After this, use the prescribed drops with clean hands, avoiding touching the eyelashes with the tip. [124]

Can I use a cold compress?

Yes. The CDC recommends cold compresses to reduce inflammation and discomfort with conjunctivitis.[125]

Can I use a warm compress?

Warm water may help soften and remove dried discharge, but hot water is not needed to treat the infection.[126]

How to treat a child's eyes?

The same safe means are suitable for hygienic removal of discharge: sterile saline solution or cooled boiled water. Medicinal drops for the child are selected based on the child's age and the cause of the inflammation. [127]

When does rinsing no longer help and you need to see a doctor?

If pain, photophobia, persistent vision loss, severe redness, worsening condition, or no improvement occurs, a newborn with conjunctivitis should be seen by a doctor immediately. [128]

Key points from experts

Albert Y. Cheung, MD, is an ophthalmologist at Virginia Eye Consultants and a specialist in diseases of the cornea and external ocular surface; he completed a fellowship in cornea/external disease at the Cincinnati Eye Institute. He is the lead author of the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology Conjunctivitis Preferred Practice Pattern. [129] [130]

The guidelines, led by Cheung, emphasize that treatment of conjunctivitis should be directed at its cause and avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and corticosteroids. In terms of home care, this means: safely removing discharge is one thing, but independently selecting strong medicated or antiseptic drops is quite another. [131]

Guillermo Amescua, MD, is a professor of clinical ophthalmology and medical director of the Ocular Surface Program at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and a board-certified American Board of Ophthalmology specialist in corneal and ocular surface diseases. [132]

As a co-author of the current American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines, Amescua advocates for an approach in which home hygiene does not replace etiologic diagnosis: viral, bacterial, allergic, and toxic conjunctivitis are treated differently. [133]

Michelle K. Rhee, MD, is a clinical professor of ophthalmology and medical education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, a corneal specialist, and an American Board of Ophthalmology-certified ophthalmologist. [134]

Rhee is also a member of the Conjunctivitis Preferred Practice Pattern expert group. This is especially important when choosing eye drops: current guidelines do not support the principle of "the more antiseptics and antibiotics, the better," but rather require choosing therapy based on the cause and condition of the cornea. [135]

The main thing: how to treat eyes with conjunctivitis

For most adults and children, safe basic treatment is simple: sterile 0.9% saline or cooled boiled water to remove secretions, a cool, clean compress to reduce swelling, and artificial tears for dryness and irritation.[136][137]

These remedies clear and relieve symptoms, but do not treat the underlying cause. Bacterial infections sometimes require antibiotics, allergic infections require antiallergic treatment, and common viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics. [138]

Chlorhexidine, unneutralized hydrogen peroxide, and other household antiseptics should not be used directly in the eye. Chamomile and tea washes also offer no advantage over standard eye care and may cause adverse reactions. [139] [140]

If pain, photophobia, or persistent deterioration of vision occur, it is essential to stop searching for “what else to rinse with” and move on to a medical diagnosis: these signs may indicate damage to the cornea or another disease that cannot be eliminated by conventional treatment. [141]