Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Red, Itchy, Watery or Sticky Eyes?
Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva—the thin membrane covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.
It can cause:
Red eyes
Itching
Watering
Burning or irritation
Swollen eyelids
A gritty sensation
Sticky or mucous discharge
Conjunctivitis can be caused by an infection, allergy or irritation.
However, not every red or itchy eye is simple conjunctivitis.
And when your eyes have been treated repeatedly with eye drops but the symptoms keep coming back, it is important to look beyond the redness and identify why the eyes remain inflamed.
Why Does My Conjunctivitis Keep Coming Back?
This is a common problem we see at The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee.
Some patients come to us after trying several different eye drops, allergy medications or other treatments without getting lasting relief.
The reason may be that the underlying problem has not been identified.
For example, chronic red and itchy eyes may be associated with:
Ocular surface inflammation
Contact lens-related irritation
Recurrent infection
More than one condition occurring at the same time
In these situations, simply adding another eye drop may not address the underlying cause.
Our Approach: Look Beyond the Red Eye
At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, we don't look at redness in isolation.
We assess the eyelids, eyelashes, tear film, meibomian glands and ocular surface to understand what may be driving the inflammation.
This is particularly important when symptoms are:
Persistent
Recurrent
Difficult to control
Not responding to usual treatment
Associated with significant itching
Associated with dry eye symptoms
Occurring in contact lens wearers
The aim is not simply to make the eye look less red.
The aim is to identify and treat the underlying cause.
Different Types of Conjunctivitis
Viral Conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis commonly causes red, watery and irritated eyes and may occur together with a cold or upper respiratory infection.
It can be highly contagious.
Antibiotic eye drops do not treat viral infections, so treatment is generally focused on relieving symptoms while the infection resolves.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis may cause redness together with thicker, sticky or mucous discharge.
Some cases may benefit from antibiotic treatment.
However, not every sticky red eye is bacterial conjunctivitis, which is why persistent or recurrent symptoms should be assessed rather than repeatedly treated without establishing the cause.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
If your eyes are persistently itchy, allergy should be considered.
Allergic eye disease can cause:
Intense itching
Redness
Watering
Swelling
Burning
Recurrent inflammation
Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
At The Eye Clinic, we also look for conditions that may be contributing to persistent allergic symptoms, including blepharitis, Demodex, eyelid inflammation and dry eye disease.
When Allergy Is More Than Just an Allergy
Many patients assume that they simply need stronger anti-allergy eye drops.
But chronic allergic eye disease can become part of a cycle:
Allergy → itching → eye rubbing → more inflammation → more itching.
In addition, inflammation around the eyelids and eyelashes can contribute to ongoing ocular-surface irritation.
This is why treatment sometimes needs to go beyond eye drops.
Treating the Eyelids: BlephEx®
For selected patients with blepharitis, significant eyelid-margin debris, bacterial biofilm or Demodex-related eyelid disease, BlephEx® may form part of the treatment plan.
BlephEx® is an in-clinic eyelid treatment using a medical-grade disposable micro-sponge to gently clean the eyelid margins and remove accumulated debris, biofilm and cylindrical dandruff.
It may be considered when eyelid inflammation is contributing to symptoms such as:
Itchy eyelids
Crusting around the eyelashes
Irritated eyelids
Recurrent styes
Blepharitis
Demodex-related eyelid problems
Ocular-surface irritation
BlephEx® is not a treatment for every patient with conjunctivitis.
Dr Cheryl Lee first assesses the eyelids and ocular surface to determine whether eyelid-margin disease is contributing to the problem.
Eye-Light® for Selected Ocular Surface and Allergic Conditions
For some patients with chronic ocular-surface inflammation or allergic eye disease, Eye-Light® may be considered as part of a personalised treatment programme.
Eye-Light® uses light-based therapy and is one of the advanced treatments available through Dr Cheryl Lee's practice.
It is not simply a replacement for conventional treatment.
Instead, it may be considered when the examination shows that inflammation or associated ocular-surface disease is contributing to persistent symptoms.
The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis.
Not every patient with conjunctivitis needs Eye-Light®.
Why Eye Drops Don't Always Solve the Problem
Eye drops can be extremely useful, but they may not address every cause of chronic red or itchy eyes.
For example:
If allergy is the problem:
Anti-allergy treatment may be required.
If blepharitis is contributing:
The eyelid margins may need to be treated.
If Demodex is present:
The eyelid environment and mite-related disease may need to be addressed.
If meibomian glands are blocked:
The oil layer of the tear film may need treatment.
If dry eye is contributing:
The tear film and ocular surface need to be assessed.
This is why we believe in treating the cause, rather than simply treating the redness.
What Happens During Your Assessment?
A specialist assessment may include examination of:
The conjunctiva
Cornea
Eyelids
Eyelashes
Tear film
Meibomian glands
Eye surface
Eye alignment and vision where appropriate
The purpose is to determine whether your symptoms are caused by straightforward conjunctivitis or whether another condition is contributing.
When Should You See an Eye Specialist?
You should have your eyes assessed if:
Your red eye keeps coming back
Eye drops have not helped
You have persistent itching
You have chronic watering
Your eyelids are crusty or inflamed
You have recurrent styes
You wear contact lenses
You have blurred vision
You have significant eye pain
You are sensitive to light
Your symptoms are worsening
You have been using steroid eye drops repeatedly
A painful red eye or red eye associated with reduced vision should be assessed promptly because it may not be simple conjunctivitis.
Specialist Treatment for Persistent Red and Inflamed Eyes in Singapore
At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, we see patients who have often already tried conventional treatment without achieving satisfactory or lasting relief.
Our approach is to determine why the eye remains inflamed rather than simply adding another eye drop.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
Prescription eye drops
Anti-allergy treatment
Lubricating eye drops
Eyelid hygiene
BlephEx®
Eye-Light®
Treatment for blepharitis
Treatment for Demodex
Treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction
Dry eye treatment
Other specialist treatment according to the underlying condition
The treatment is individualised because there is no single treatment that is right for every red eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is conjunctivitis the same as an eye infection?
Not always. Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses or bacteria, but it can also be caused by allergies or irritation.
Why won't my conjunctivitis go away?
If the redness or itching keeps returning despite treatment, the underlying problem may not be simple conjunctivitis. Allergy, blepharitis, Demodex, dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction may be contributing.
Can BlephEx® treat conjunctivitis?
BlephEx® is not a general treatment for all conjunctivitis. It may be useful when blepharitis, eyelid-margin debris, bacterial biofilm or Demodex is contributing to chronic ocular-surface irritation.
Can Eye-Light® treat conjunctivitis?
Eye-Light® may be considered for selected patients with ocular-surface inflammation or allergic eye disease. It is not appropriate for every type of conjunctivitis, and treatment should follow an examination and diagnosis.
Why are my eyes still itchy after using allergy drops?
Persistent itching may mean that the allergy is not fully controlled, or that another condition such as blepharitis, dry eye or eyelid inflammation is contributing.
Is rubbing my eyes making the allergy worse?
Yes. Rubbing may temporarily relieve itching but can increase inflammation and create a cycle of further itching and rubbing.
Should I see an eye doctor if my conjunctivitis keeps coming back?
Yes. Recurrent conjunctivitis-like symptoms deserve an assessment to determine whether the underlying problem is allergy, blepharitis, dry eye, Demodex, meibomian gland dysfunction or another eye condition.
Why Choose The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee?
The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee is not simply focused on treating the appearance of a red eye.
We look for the underlying cause.
This is particularly important for patients who have:
Tried several eye drops
Been treated repeatedly for “conjunctivitis”
Suffered from chronic allergies
Experienced recurrent red or itchy eyes
Developed chronic eyelid inflammation
Been diagnosed with dry eye but are still symptomatic
Where appropriate, Dr Cheryl Lee can combine conventional ophthalmic treatment with specialised ocular-surface treatments such as Eye-Light® and BlephEx®.
The goal is to provide a more complete treatment plan based on what is actually causing your symptoms.
If your red or itchy eyes have not improved despite treatment, it may be time to look deeper
Other than the usual eye drops, we have a way to treat conjunctivitis that gets rid of the inflammation,infection and swelling much quicker. Blue light has been researched and is shown to have good anti-bactierial action.