What Contact Lens Users Should Know About Pink Eye

Waking up with red, irritated eyes and a sticky discharge might leave you wondering if you’ve caught pink eye and whether it’s still okay to wear your contact lenses. The short answer? Not right now.

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the clear tissue that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It’s often caused by viral or bacterial infections, though it can also result from allergies or chemical irritants like chlorine or makeup.

If you wear contacts regularly, here’s what you should know about how pink eye affects contact lens use and how to protect both your eyes and your vision during recovery.

Can You Wear Contacts With Pink Eye?

No. Whether your pink eye is from an infection, allergen, or irritant, contact lenses can make symptoms worse. Here’s why:

• Contacts can trap bacteria or viruses against the surface of your eye, prolonging infection.

• The lenses can irritate already inflamed tissue, increasing redness, pain, and discharge.

• Touching your eyes to insert or remove lenses raises your risk of spreading the infection to your other eye or even to others.

You should also avoid wearing eye makeup or using shared cosmetics during this time, as they can introduce more bacteria or further inflame your eyes.

When Can You Start Wearing Contacts Again?

Wait until at least two full days after all symptoms have resolved before putting your contacts back in. This gives your eyes time to fully recover and ensures the infection is no longer active.

Before wearing lenses again:

• Sanitize your lens case thoroughly.

• Disinfect reusable lenses according to your eye care provider’s instructions or better yet, switch to a fresh, disposable pair.

• If your case or solution was used during the infection, replace both.

Treatment Options for Pink Eye

Treatment depends on the cause:

• Bacterial pink eye may clear up on its own but often improves faster with antibiotic eye drops, typically prescribed if symptoms are severe or persistent.

• Viral pink eye won’t respond to antibiotics and usually resolves within 7–10 days without medical treatment.

• Allergic conjunctivitis benefits from antihistamine drops, cold compresses, and avoiding the allergen (like pollen or pet dander).

• Chemical conjunctivitis from pool water, smoke, or cosmetics is treated by rinsing the eye and avoiding further exposure.

At-Home Soothing Remedies To ease discomfort and promote healing:

• Use cool or warm compresses a few times daily cold can reduce swelling, while warm can clear mucous buildup.

• Apply over-the-counter artificial tears to relieve dryness.

• Use a clean washcloth for each application, especially for contagious cases.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

While many cases resolve on their own, seek medical attention if:

• Your vision is blurry or you experience light sensitivity.

• Pain increases beyond mild discomfort.

• Redness and discharge worsen or persist after several days.

• You notice thick, yellow or green mucus, especially after waking.

• You have a weakened immune system due to a condition like HIV, cancer, or recent surgery.

You can often get help from a primary care provider, but for severe or persistent cases, an eye specialist may be recommended.

The Bottom Line

If you have pink eye, skip the contact lenses until you’ve fully recovered. Even mild symptoms can worsen with lens use, and there's a risk of spreading infection. Once your eyes are clear, ease back into your lens routine carefully with clean hands, disinfected supplies, and a new pair of contacts if possible.

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