Can Pink Eye Be Caused by Stress?

Symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis) include: 

• Eye irritation
• Eye redness
• Eye discharge
  • May be white, yellow, or green
  • May be watery or thick
  • May drain throughout the day
  • The affected eye is often crusty and stuck shut in the morning
• Burning, gritty, or sandy feeling in the eye
• Cold symptoms may accompany viral conjunctivitis, such as
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Swollen lymph nodes (glands)
  • Itching of both eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)

Treatment for pink eye (conjunctivitis) depends on the cause. 

Viral conjunctivitis treatment includes: 

• Topical antihistamine/decongestant eye drop to relieve eye irritation 
• Drops are usually available without a prescription 
• Use warm or cool compresses as needed

Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment includes:

• Most cases go away on their own even if no treatment is used
• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment 
• Contact lens wearers should not wear lenses the first 24 hours of treatment, or until the eye is no longer red

Allergic conjunctivitis treatment includes:

• Eye drops containing naphazoline-pheniramine, ketotifen, olopatadine, and others

Toxic conjunctivitis treatment includes:

• Removal of the offending agent
• Stop using any topical eye medications 
  • Don’t stop taking any prescribed eye medications without first talking to your doctor, especially glaucoma drops, because increased eye pressure may cause permanent vision loss

Nonspecific conjunctivitis treatment includes:

• Usually goes away on its own within a few days without treatment
• Lubricant drops or ointments may ease symptoms as the eye heals

Home remedies to relieve symptoms of pink eye include: 

• Ibuprofen or over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
• Lubricating eye drops (artificial tears)
  • Do not use red-eye reducing eye drops, which can irritate eyes and worsen symptoms of pink eye
• Warm compresses on the eyes
• Allergy medicine or allergy eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis