When Your Pink Eye Requires Medical Treatment, We Can Help

 When you wake up with a red, irritated eye, swollen lid, and yellow-white crusting on your eyelashes, the last thing you want to do is trek to the doctor. Fortunately, you don’t have to. 

OhanaMed Virtual Urgent Care, led by Kyle Nefzger, APRN, FNP-C, offers same-day telehealth appointments to patients four and older throughout Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaii. 

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, occurs when the transparent membrane lining your eyelid becomes inflamed. About six million cases occur annually in the U.S.

It can be triggered by:

• Viral infections: Highly contagious viruses that cause common colds.
• Bacterial infections: Spread through poor hygiene or direct contact.
• Allergies: Reactions to pollen, pet dander, or other airborne irritants.

Children in school or daycare settings are especially vulnerable because they are in close contact with others. People who wear contact lenses are also at higher risk if they don't clean their lenses properly or share contaminated contact lens solutions.

How to prevent the spread of infection

Practicing good hygiene is the best way to stop pink eye from spreading to others or to your other eye. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds, especially after touching your face. 

Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, as this introduces new bacteria or allergens to the area, and don’t share personal items like towels, pillowcases, or eye cosmetics with family members or friends. If you wear contact lenses, switch to eyeglasses until your infection clears completely. 

How do you know when you need medical care?

The condition is highly contagious, especially when a virus or bacteria cause it. Mild, allergy-based, or viral pink eye may clear up on its own.

To manage mild symptoms of viral or allergic conjunctivitis at home, apply a cool, damp washcloth to your closed eyelids to reduce discomfort. Don’t rub your eyes, as this worsens the inflammation and spreads the infection to the other eye.

However, we recommend seeking professional care if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Severe eye pain or vision changes.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Thick, green, or yellow discharge from the eye.
• Symptoms that don't improve after several days.
• Redness that becomes more intense.

Because pink eye spreads easily, we offer convenient same-day telehealth.

How we treat pink eye 

If you have a bacterial infection, you'll need prescription treatment. We evaluate your symptoms and prescribe antibiotic eye drops to clear the infection.

If you have pink eye, don’t wait; book a same-day telehealth appointment with OhanaMed Virtual Urgent Care. Call us at 808-468-5779 or request an appointment online.