To reduce the symptoms of bacterial or viral pink eye you can:
- Take ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain killer.
- Use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (artificial tears).
- Put a warm, damp washcloth over your eyes for a few minutes. To make this warm compress:
- Soak a clean washcloth in warm water then wring it out so it’s not dripping.
- Lay the damp cloth over your eyes and leave it in place until it cools.
- Repeat this several times a day, or as often as is comfortable.
- Use a clean washcloth each time so you don't spread the infection.
- Use a different washcloth for each eye if you have infectious pink eye in both eyes.
