05/28/2026
👁️🦠 What Is Bacterial Pink Eye? Typical Symptoms to Identify 🦠👁️
If your eyes become red, irritated, and produce thick discharge—especially if your eyelids are sticking shut in the morning—you may be experiencing bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as bacterial pink eye. This contagious eye infection occurs when bacteria enter the eye and cause inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye.
Bacterial pink eye is especially common in children, but it can affect people of all ages. It spreads easily through direct contact with contaminated hands, towels, makeup, or shared surfaces, making proper hygiene extremely important in preventing transmission.
Typical symptoms include:
• Redness in one or both eyes
• Thick yellow or green discharge
• Crusting of the eyelids, especially in the morning
• Eyelids sticking shut
• Mild irritation or discomfort
Unlike viral conjunctivitis, bacterial pink eye usually requires antibiotic eye drops or ointment to effectively treat the infection and help relieve symptoms more quickly. Prompt treatment can also help reduce the spread of the infection to others.
At South Shore Eye Care, we’re here to help diagnose the cause of your eye irritation and recommend the most effective treatment plan for fast, safe relief. If you’re experiencing persistent redness, discharge, or discomfort, schedule an eye evaluation with our team today.
