Urgent care for pink eye: What to expect during your visit

Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is a common eye condition that causes redness, itching, tearing, and discharge. It can be triggered by viruses, bacteria, allergies, or irritants, and some forms are highly contagious. Whether your symptoms are mild or suddenly worsening, urgent care clinics are well-equipped to diagnose the cause and provide fast, effective treatment. Read on to discover how urgent care can help you feel better quickly and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

What is pink eye?

Pink eye, medically known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the conjunctiva. This thin, transparent tissue lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. When this membrane becomes irritated or infected, blood vessels become more visible, giving the eye a red or "pink" appearance. While often mild, pink eye can be highly contagious and uncomfortable, depending on the cause.

Common causes of pink eye:

• Viral infections (most common and often associated with colds)
• Bacterial infections
• Allergies or irritants (such as smoke, dust, or chlorine)

Common symptoms of pink eye:

• Redness, tearing, and itchiness
• Eye discharge (watery or thick yellow/green mucus)
• Crusting around the eyelids, especially noticeable upon waking
• Light sensitivity or a burning sensation in the eye

When to go to urgent care for pink eye

While many cases of pink eye clear up on their own, there are times when medical evaluation is important and even necessary:

• You should visit urgent care if you notice thick yellow or green discharge from the eye, significant swelling or eye pain, or if your vision becomes blurry.
• Persistent symptoms lasting more than a few days—especially if they worsen—also warrant attention.
• Pink eye in infants, young children, or individuals with weakened immune systems should always be evaluated promptly, as complications can arise more easily in these groups.

Visiting urgent care offers several advantages:

• Providers can quickly assess your symptoms and determine the likely cause, whether viral, bacterial, or allergic. This helps guide the right treatment and prevent unnecessary discomfort or spread.
• If the pink eye is bacterial, you'll receive a prescription for antibiotic drops or ointment. If it's viral or allergic, you'll get expert advice on managing symptoms and reducing transmission.

With same-day appointments and fast service, urgent care makes it easy to get relief and peace of mind.

What happens during an urgent care visit for pink eye

When you arrive at urgent care for pink eye symptoms, the visit typically starts with a patient intake and symptom review. A provider will ask about when your symptoms began, whether you’ve had recent exposure to anyone with similar symptoms, and how severe your discomfort is. They’ll also perform a focused eye exam, looking closely for redness, discharge, and signs of irritation. You may be asked to move your eyes in different directions to check for pain or limited movement. In some cases, they may also check nearby lymph nodes—especially around the ears or neck—to assess for signs of a bacterial or viral infection.

After evaluating your symptoms and examining your eyes, the provider will determine what type of conjunctivitis you have. If it’s bacterial, they’ll likely prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to clear the infection and reduce contagiousness. For viral pink eye, which is more common and often associated with colds or respiratory infections, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with cool compresses, artificial tears, and good hygiene practices. If allergies cause your pink eye, you may be given antihistamines or prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation and itching. The provider will also give you tips to prevent spreading the infection and let you know when it’s safe to return to school or work.

Do I need antibiotics for pink eye?

Not always—MedlinePlus explains that needing antibiotics for pink eye depends on the underlying cause:

• If the conjunctivitis is bacterial, which often presents with thick yellow or green discharge, redness in one or both eyes, and no recent cold or respiratory symptoms, your urgent care provider may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. These medications help clear the infection faster and reduce the risk of spreading it to others.
• However, most cases of pink eye are viral and occur alongside symptoms of a cold or upper respiratory infection. Viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics and typically clears up on its own within a week or so. In such cases, supportive care, including the use of cool compresses, artificial tears, and maintaining good hygiene, is the best approach.

Either way, getting a proper diagnosis at urgent care ensures you get the right treatment and avoid unnecessary medications.

How to care for pink eye at home

Caring for pink eye at home involves a combination of symptom relief, hygiene practices, and preventing the spread of infection, especially if a virus or bacteria cause the condition:

• To ease discomfort, apply a warm (or cool, if preferred) compress to the affected eye several times a day.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses until symptoms fully resolve, and use artificial tears as needed to reduce irritation.
• Always wash your hands before and after touching your eyes, applying drops, or using compresses.

Since pink eye can be highly contagious, take steps to avoid spreading it to others:

• Don’t share personal items like towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup, and wash these items frequently in hot water.
• If your child has pink eye, keep them home from school or daycare until they’ve been cleared by a provider, typically 24 hours after starting antibiotics for bacterial cases or when symptoms improve in viral cases.
• When cleaning the eye, use a clean gauze pad or cotton ball to wipe away any discharge. Always wipe from the inside corner outward, and never reuse the same cloth on both eyes to prevent cross-contamination.

Good hygiene and supportive care can help you feel better faster and reduce the risk of reinfection.

When to follow up or seek additional care

While most cases of pink eye resolve with basic treatment, there are times when follow-up or specialist care is necessary, according to MedlinePlus. If your symptoms worsen or begin spreading to the other eye, or if you see no improvement within 48 hours of starting treatment, especially if you were prescribed antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis, it’s important to return to urgent care or consult your primary care provider.

Additional warning signs include increasing eye pain, significant light sensitivity, or blurred vision, which may suggest a more serious issue such as corneal involvement.

Patients who experience repeated episodes of pink eye or have underlying eye conditions may need a referral to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation and care. Prompt follow-up helps prevent complications and ensures that any more serious problems are identified early.

Get fast relief—find urgent care for pink eye near you

Dealing with red, itchy, or irritated eyes? Don’t wait it out. Use Solv to quickly find and book a same-day urgent care appointment near you. Skip the long waits and get fast, professional care to relieve your symptoms and stop the spread. Whether it’s viral, bacterial, or allergy-related, urgent care providers can diagnose the cause and start the right treatment right away.