Why has my pink eye come back???

[CLB0807]

Hello, one week ago I developed conjunctivitus, and about a week prior to that I had a cold, and some inflammation in my left ear (the conjunctivitus was in my left eye only).  My eye was red, swollen, and had a little bit of stringy like discharge (not much) for about 2 days and cleared up.  I used antibacterial drops, though my doctor still thought it was probably viral from my cold.  Now, one week later after it cleared up, it came back again last night, though not very severe, still there.  Is it possible this is residual, and can that even occur in a viral scenario?  I only used the drops 2 days, and I'm thinking now I should have maybe continued to use them longer.  Any insight would be helpful.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

That is very inexpensive.  You will need to work through this with an Eye MD. The first thing is usually to stop all drops except preservative free artificial tears.  Make an appointment to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist.

JCH MD

[CLB0807]

gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution.  Thanks again.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

What is the name of the drops you're using?
JCH MD

[CLB0807]

Thanks very much for your response.  I do not wear contact lenses.  I will talk to my doctor next week, but in the meantime I'm not sure what to think - the antibiotic drops I started using again (I used them 2 days, then stopped, then started again one week later and am now on day 3 of using them again), however, my eye is no better or worse.  It's just this very mild 'comjunctivitus' in the inside corner of my eye.  The drops don't be seeming to make a difference, and it's very possible it is viral, but if that's the case, why did it seem to 'clear up' for about a week?  Also, I'd like to point out it does not seem to be contagious - has not spread to my right eye, and I have two small children (a toddler and an infant) that could have easily probably picked it up from me, but they have been fine.  Thanks again.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you wear contacts and have worn them since the first episode its more likely the contacts than a recurrent eye infection. It is extremely common for contact lens patients to be told, and treated for "recurrent conjunctivitis" than having the problem identified as a contact lens problem.

If you do not wear contacts antibiotics don't kill viruses and a viral conjunctivitis don't clear up in 2 days.   A bacterial conjunctivitis is generally treated for 5-7 days to prevent antibiotic resistance or reoccurrence.  You would need to discuss this with your "doctor"

JCHMD