Host: What are the treatments for pinkeye?

Dr. Laura D. Cook: It depends on the cause of the pinkeye. If you have a viral cause of pinkeye, unfortunately, there aren't any treatments that actually resolve the condition. It's mostly supportive care and so blend artificial tears without preservatives, cold compresses, things of that nature. For bacterial conjunctivitis, actually antibacterial, antibiotics will treat that and it's a topical drop for the most part. There are two specific conditions which are actually treated with oral antibiotics. If it's an allergic cause, the allergy is at rest whether it's with anti-allergy eye drops or just supportive care in terms of blend preservative free artificial tears and cold compresses and then lastly, if it's toxic, it depends on the response. Removing the drop or the toxin is often enough.