Can conjunctivitis (pink eye) be treated by washing the eyes with saline solution?

　　Conjunctivitis—commonly known as “pink eye”—is a frequent ocular infectious disease, yet it is not frightening. By maintaining good eye hygiene—such as avoiding sharing handkerchiefs or using them to touch the face and eyes—the risk of infection can be significantly reduced. So, can saline solution be used to wash the eyes in cases of pink eye?

　　Can saline solution be used to wash the eyes in cases of pink eye?

　　Yes, saline solution may be used appropriately for eye irrigation in cases of pink eye. Pink eye, also termed acute epidemic conjunctivitis, occurs most frequently during spring and autumn and is primarily caused by bacterial infection. Symptoms commonly include eye redness, increased eye discharge (discharge), and a foreign-body sensation. When eye discharge increases, gentle irrigation with sterile saline solution may be helpful to remove secretions; however, this must be performed under sterile conditions. Blindly using homemade saline solutions is discouraged, as it may exacerbate conjunctivitis symptoms. In addition, treatment typically requires topical antibiotic or antiviral eye drops. The typical duration of conjunctivitis is 2–4 weeks, and pink eye is highly contagious.

　　Frequent handwashing is essential. Towels and washbasins should be boiled daily in boiling water. Towels should ideally be dried in direct sunlight, which helps curb disease transmission and promotes faster recovery. As a family member, if you have contact with someone diagnosed with pink eye, avoid touching your eyes—acute conjunctivitis spreads via direct contact. Touching objects handled by an infected person and then rubbing your eyes completes the chain of transmission.

　　In daily life, cultivating healthy lifestyle and dietary habits is important. We hope this information proves helpful to you.