Pink eye (conjunctivitis) in Puerto Rico: symptoms, treatment and video visits
Pink eye is inflammation of the thin layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids, causing redness, watering, itching and sometimes discharge. Most cases are caused by a virus or allergy and clear up on their own; bacterial pink eye may be treated with antibiotic drops. In Puerto Rico the doctor can assess many cases by video. Severe pain, vision loss, strong light sensitivity, or pain while wearing contact lenses need an in-person exam.
Can we help by telehealth? Sometimes: it depends on the evaluation.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Severe eye pain
- Vision loss, or blurred vision that doesn’t clear
- Strong sensitivity to light
- An eye injury or a chemical in the eye
- Contact lens wearer with eye pain or a very red eye
- Swollen, red skin around the eye with fever
Help lines:
- 911 — Emergencies
- 1-800-981-0023 — Línea PAS (mental-health crisis line)
- 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- 1-800-222-1222 — Poison Help
Pink eye symptoms
The most common symptoms of pink eye are:
- Pink or red color in the white of the eye
- Swollen eyelids
- Watery eyes
- Itching or burning
- A gritty feeling in the eye
- Discharge or crusting, sometimes with eyelids stuck together in the morning
Viral, bacterial or allergic?
Viral: the most common. The eye is pink, swollen and watery, sometimes sensitive to light, and it often starts in one eye. It often comes with a cold. Antibiotics don’t help.
Bacterial: a red eye with green or yellow discharge that can glue the eyelids shut in the morning. It can affect one or both eyes. Antibiotic drops or ointment may shorten it a little.
Allergic: itching, redness and heavy watering, usually in both eyes, along with sneezing or a stuffy nose. It is not contagious. See allergies.
Smoke, pool chlorine, chemicals and overuse of contact lenses can also cause it.
What happens in the video visit
The doctor asks when it started, whether one or both eyes are affected, what the discharge looks like, whether it hurts, whether your vision is clear and whether you wear contact lenses. In good natural light, she will ask you to bring your eye close to the camera.
She then tells you whether it is likely viral, bacterial or allergic, how to care for it and whether you need an in-person exam. If appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medication, such as eye drops. We do not prescribe controlled substances. If you need a doctor’s note for work or school, she can provide one after the visit, at no extra charge.
An online doctor visit costs US$79 and is for patients who are physically in Puerto Rico, including visitors. See pricing.
Pink eye treatment and relief at home
Most pink eye gets better on its own in a few days. To ease discomfort:
- Use cold compresses on closed eyes, and over-the-counter artificial tears.
- For crusting, hold a clean cloth soaked in warm water on the eyelids.
- Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye doctor says it’s okay to start again.
- Don’t share towels, pillowcases or eye makeup, and throw away eye makeup you used while sick.
Pink eye in children: school and daycare
Pink eye spreads easily among children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most children get better in 5 or 6 days without antibiotics, it is unclear whether antibiotics prevent spread, and the best protection is good handwashing and cleaning toys and surfaces.
The CDC says that someone without fever or other symptoms may be allowed to return to school with their doctor’s approval, and should not attend while they still have symptoms if their activities involve close contact with others. Each school and daycare (cuido) in Puerto Rico can set its own rules, so check before sending your child back.
The doctor can see your child by video from 6 months old, with a parent or guardian on camera, and give a note for school or daycare after a real visit. She is not a pediatrician. Get in-person care if your child has fever, eye pain, swollen red skin around the eye, or trouble seeing. A newborn with pink eye should be seen by a doctor right away; we do not see babies under 6 months. See video visits for children.
How to stop pink eye spreading
Viral and bacterial pink eye spread by hands that touch eye discharge. Wash your hands often, especially before and after touching your eyes, avoid rubbing your eyes, change your pillowcase daily and don’t share towels.
When to see an eye doctor or go to the ER
You need an in-person exam, by an eye doctor or in the ER, if you have:
- Severe eye pain.
- Blurred vision that doesn’t improve when you wipe away discharge, or vision loss.
- Strong sensitivity to light.
- Intense redness.
- An injury to the eye, or a chemical splashed in the eye.
- Contact lenses and eye pain or redness.
- Bacterial pink eye not improving 24 hours after starting an antibiotic, or symptoms getting worse.
- A weakened immune system.
Video visit: US$79 · Pay by card · See the price and what is included
Before you book
- You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors and tourists are welcome).
- We see patients from 6 months old. Patients under 21: a parent or legal guardian must be on camera for the whole visit.
- Real-time video only; we do not do phone-call visits.
- We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does pink eye last, and when is it no longer contagious?
- Most cases improve within 5 or 6 days. Viral pink eye is contagious while symptoms last, and sometimes longer. Bacterial pink eye stops being contagious once treatment starts or symptoms are gone. Allergic pink eye is not contagious.
- Does pink eye need antibiotic drops?
- Only bacterial pink eye, and even then antibiotics shorten it only slightly. Viral pink eye, the most common kind, does not improve with antibiotics. The doctor will tell you which kind you likely have.
- Can I get pink eye treated by video while in Puerto Rico?
- Often, yes: the doctor looks at your eye on camera and asks about your symptoms. Severe pain, vision changes, pain while wearing contacts, or an injury or chemical in the eye need an in-person exam.
Sources
- About Pink Eye (CDC) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Treatment of Pink Eye (CDC) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Conjunctivitis or pink eye (MedlinePlus, NIH) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) (AAP, HealthyChildren.org) (accessed 2026-09-30)