Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare.org. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
New to MyHealth?
Manage Your Care From Anywhere.
Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.
ALREADY HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
NEED MORE DETAILS?
MyHealth for Mobile
Pink Eye Causes
Pink Eye Causes
Pink eye is caused several different ways:
Contagious
- Viral infections: The same virus that causes the common cold can also trigger pink eye. While symptoms usually go away after a few days or weeks, simple steps like cool compresses can provide some relief. Occasionally, the viruses tied to herpes and shingles can also cause a more severe form of pink eye, as can your body’s immune response to a virus. Learn more about the problems that can lead to:
- Corneal ulcer
- Uveitis (inflammation)
- Bacterial infections: We often prescribe antibiotic eye drops to clear up bacterial infections.
Not contagious
- Allergies: Reactions to allergens such as pollen or pet dander can cause pink eye, with anti-allergy eye drops often providing relief. If not careful, children with allergic reactions can damage their cornea by rubbing their eyes too much. Allergy-related conjunctivitis can also become a chronic condition, one we can help you watch for and manage.
- Irritants: Irritants like smoking and fumes sometimes trigger pink eye.