Pink Eye Treatment
in Miami

You often cannot tell on your own; the overlap is real. A few clues: thick yellow or green discharge with lashes matted shut on waking points toward bacterial, watery discharge after a recent cold points toward viral, and intense itching in both eyes during allergy season points toward allergic. A physician exam is the only definitive answer. Guessing risks the wrong treatment, because antibiotics do nothing for viral or allergic pink eye, and some over-the-counter drops can worsen a herpes infection of the eye if used blindly.

Only for bacterial conjunctivitis, which is roughly one-third of adult cases (higher in young children). Viral conjunctivitis resolves on its own in 7 to 14 days, and antibiotics do nothing for it. Allergic conjunctivitis needs antihistamine drops, not antibiotics. Our physicians make that distinction during the visit and prescribe only when it is clinically indicated. Overusing antibiotics drives resistance and can cause drug reactions.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious until about 24 hours after starting the right antibiotic drops. Viral conjunctivitis stays contagious as long as the eye is actively tearing and producing discharge, typically 7 to 14 days for the common adenoviral types. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious at all. Strict hand washing, separate towels, and not sharing pillows lowers the spread at home. Do not share eye makeup or contact lens supplies.

Most Florida schools ask that the child be on antibiotic drops for at least 24 hours and have no more active thick discharge before returning. For viral pink eye with no treatable cause, the rule is usually until symptoms have improved noticeably, so check your school’s specific policy. We provide a written school return note at every pediatric pink eye visit, stating the diagnosis, the treatment, and the date your child can safely go back.

No. Stop wearing your lenses at the very first symptom, and throw out the current pair and the case. Switch to glasses for the whole treatment period. Go back to lenses only after the eye has been completely clear for at least 24 hours, and after your physician confirms it is safe, then start fresh with brand-new lenses and a new case. Contact lens wearers with a red eye get extra attention from us, because the risk of a corneal infection is higher.

Bacterial pink eye often starts in one eye and spreads to the other within a few days, and viral can also begin on one side. Allergic conjunctivitis is almost always in both eyes from the start. A single red eye with pain, blurred vision, or a white spot on the colored part of the eye is taken more seriously, because it can point to a corneal infection, inflammation inside the eye, or acute glaucoma. Come in for an exam rather than waiting it out.

Bacterial conjunctivitis usually improves clearly within 24 to 48 hours of starting drops, with near-complete resolution in 5 to 7 days. Viral conjunctivitis is supportive care: it starts improving in 3 to 5 days and clears by day 7 to 14. Allergic conjunctivitis often eases within hours of the first antihistamine drop, but you need to keep using the drops through the allergy exposure period to stay comfortable.

Yes. A pink eye evaluation is a standard urgent care service, covered by most major plans including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Oscar Health (urgent care), and Medicare. Our front desk verifies your benefits at check-in and explains any expected out-of-pocket cost before treatment. Self-pay patients are always welcome, and a physician visit starts at $195 with pricing quoted up front.

Come in the same day if you have any of these: changes in your vision, moderate to severe eye pain, strong light sensitivity, a white spot on the colored part of the eye, thick discharge that is not improving after 48 hours, eyelid swelling that is spreading, any red-eye symptom while wearing contacts, or symptoms in a baby under one year old. Waiting on those risks letting an undiagnosed corneal infection get worse.

Preservative-free artificial tears are safe and soothing for any type of pink eye, so those are fine. The redness-relief drops that shrink blood vessels (naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline) give brief cosmetic relief but do not treat the cause and can cause rebound redness, so avoid them. Never reuse an old bottle of prescription drops from a past illness. For mild allergic pink eye, ketotifen drops sold over the counter are a reasonable option.

Yes. Pool water can carry chemicals and germs into the eye. Chlorinated pools cause a chemical irritation that usually settles within a day with artificial tears and cool compresses. Ocean and lake water carry a higher risk of a true bacterial infection. Contact lens wearers should never swim in their lenses, since a rare but serious infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis is linked to pool and tap water. Shower after swimming and rinse your eyes with saline.

Walk in, no appointment needed. We run as urgent care seven days a week. You can also check in online ahead of time to reserve your spot and cut your wait. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM.