Pinkeye: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have drainage from one or both eyes?

See significance of drainage from the eyes if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have swollen, red eyelids and a fever?

Yes

Does your baby age 3 months or younger have new drainage from his or her eyes?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a large amount of thick yellow drainage that continues to form after cleaning your eye?

Yes

Do you have swollen, red eyelids that stay swollen after cleaning away eye drainage?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have white, yellow, or tan drainage from the eye that looks like pus and has gotten worse or not improved after 24 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Are watery eyes from allergies interfering with work, school, or other activities?

Yes

Have you had a small amount of eye drainage off and on for longer than 2 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	December 06, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer