Is blurry vision a symptom of pink eye?

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Pink eye can cause blurry vision, but it is not a common symptom.

When a person develops pink eye, blurry vision may occur due to a buildup of mucus and tears in the eyes. Sometimes, the medications a person uses to treat the condition can also lead to blurry vision. This is particularly true for ointments compared with eye drops.

Vision changes, such as blurred vision, may indicate additional underlying issues or a more severe infection. A person should consider consulting an eye specialist or doctor if they experience vision issues such as blurring.

Pink eye can cause several different symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• pink or red eyes
• itchy or burning eyes
• crust formation that may stick the eyelids together
• presence of excessive thick yellow discharge, pus, or mucus
• watery eyes

Other symptoms may include:

• eye pain, often due to an infection
• feeling that something got stuck in the eye or a gritty sensation in the eye
• puffy eyelids
• sensitivity to light

People may also find it difficult to wear contact lenses or experience pain when they do so.

Pink eye mostly occurs due to an infection. Typically, these are viral or bacterial infections and are very transmissible, unlike other causes of pink eye. Bacterial pink eye often develops due to staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria. Viral pink eye typically occurs due to the adenovirus, which is responsible for the common cold.

Another common cause of pink eye can include allergens. This type of conjunctivitis is more common among people with other allergic conditions, such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema. Examples of allergens include:

• pollen from trees and plants
• dust mites
• mold
• pet dander
• cosmetics

Other less common causes may include irritants. Examples include:

• wearing contact lenses
• fungi
• exposure to chemicals
• foreign bodies getting stuck in the eye
• parasites or ameba
• indoor and outdoor air pollution, such as:
  • dust
  • smoke
  • fumes
  • chemical vapors

It can be difficult to determine the exact underlying cause due to similarities of symptoms between the different types of pink eye.

Treatment can vary based on the underlying cause. For example, antibiotic eye drops may help with a bacterial infection but will not help with a viral infection or another type of pink eye.

In most cases, a doctor may recommend eye drops for pink eye. The difference comes in ingredients and purpose, such as:

• antibiotic drops for bacterial infections
• cleansing drops for chemicals and other substances stuck in the eye
• allergy drops that contain either antihistamine or vasoconstrictors may help reduce puffiness and itchiness

For viral infections, a doctor may recommend a cool, wet cloth to help ease pain and discomfort. There is no specific medical treatment for viral conjunctivitis. Instead, the body will fight off the viral infection on its own.

A person may consider getting treatment if they:

• develop intense redness in the eye
• blurred vision or sensitivity to light that does not improve when wiping discharge from the eye
• have worsening symptoms
• continue to have symptoms 24 hours following use of antibiotic drops
• have pain in the eye
• are living with a weakened immune system

Learn more about home remedies for pink eye.

Several conditions may cause blurry vision. Some examples include:

Pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva. The most common symptom is a red or pink discoloration of the eyes. Although less common, it can sometimes cause blurry vision. When it does, it may result from mucus, excessive tears, or medications to treat the condition.

Viruses, allergies, or bacteria are common causes of pink eye, but a person may develop it due to exposure to chemicals, toxins, or other foreign objects. Treatments often involve eye drops with different ingredients to address the root cause. Viral infections often improve on their own with no formal treatment, though cool compresses may help.