Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the type. The doctor will decide which type you have and go from there. If your case is severe, the doctor may decide to start you on antibiotics while you await culture results. Here are the treatments for the main types of conjunctivitis:
Viral conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis will go away on its own in one to two weeks. Antibiotics will not help viral conjunctivitis. The doctor may recommend using some plain saline eye drops (artificial tears). Ice packs can help with swelling and inflammation. If you have a very severe case, the doctor may put you on a short course of antiviral medication.
Bacterial conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotics. These are given with either an antibiotic ointment or an eye drop that is placed directly in the eye. Once you start treatment, the infection should take around seven to ten days to clear. Your doctor may also recommend ice packs and saline eye drops to help relieve symptoms and swelling. If you have a mild case, the doctor may opt to watch and see if the infection gets better on its own without antibiotics.
Allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction to pollen or animal dander. Treatment consists of removing the offending source and keeping the eyes rinsed to reduce irritation. The doctor may recommend saline eye drops for clearing the irritant, and topical allergy relief drops. You may also need to take an oral antihistamine.
Chemical/irritants. If your conjunctivitis was caused by exposure to chemicals or other irritants, the doctor will most likely flush your eye to remove the offending agent. You may then be prescribed steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation. Understand that if you have redness in your eye after exposure, this is an emergency and you need to see a doctor right away. Especially if you suspect a chemical burn to the eye.
Sexually transmitted infections. Sexually transmitted diseases in the eye such as chlamydia or gonorrhea are treated most often with oral antibiotics because eye drops are usually not enough to clear the infection. The doctor will also recommend treatment for any sexual partners.
Fungal conjunctivitis. While rare, fungal conjunctivitis can be serious and usually requires aggressive treatment. More severe cases will need injections of antifungal medications directly into the eye. The doctor may also prescribe antifungal eye drops and possibly hospitalization for antifungal medications to be given intravenously.