Can you exercise if you have conjunctivitis?

Generally, mild conjunctivitis allows for light physical activity, but exercise is not recommended during acute or infectious conjunctivitis. If in doubt, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional beforehand. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the condition is mild allergic conjunctivitis or bacterial conjunctivitis with minor symptoms—such as no significant increase in eye discharge or severe eye pain—light activities like walking or slow-paced movement are acceptable. These low-intensity exercises do not cause excessive sweating that could irritate the eyes, nor do they worsen ocular discomfort through vigorous motion. Just ensure avoidance of allergens or contaminants during exercise.

However, if the condition is acute viral conjunctivitis (e.g., adenovirus infection), severe bacterial conjunctivitis, or accompanied by noticeable eye swelling, thick discharge, or photophobia, exercise is not advised. Intense physical activity can lead to heavy sweating, and sweat entering the eyes may exacerbate inflammation. Moreover, viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious; exercising in contact with others increases transmission risk. Additionally, excessive physical exertion may impair the body’s ability to recover from inflammation.

During conjunctivitis, assess your ocular symptoms before exercising and choose appropriate types of physical activity. After exercise, promptly wash your face to prevent residual sweat from irritating the eyes. Follow prescribed medication regimens, and discontinue exercise immediately and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or vision abnormalities occur.