Your doctor may take a sample of eye secretions from the conjunctiva for laboratory analysis to determine which form of infection you have and how best to treat it.

If you have a young infant with recurrent conjunctivitis or persistent eye tearing, you may need to have an eye doctor check for an obstructed tear duct.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops if the infection is bacterial, and the infection should clear within several days of starting treatment. Be sure to use the drops for the entire time your doctor prescribes them, to prevent recurrence of the infection. Viral conjunctivitis typically disappears on its own — usually within a week.

If the irritation is allergic conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe one of many different types of eyedrops. These may include antihistamines, decongestants, mast cell stabilizers, steroids and anti-inflammatory drops.