Eye Health Guide · ORINvue

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye / Aankh Aana)

Hindi / common name: Conjunctivitis (aankh aana / aankh lal hona)

By ORINvue, Lucknow · Updated 2026-10-14 · Information only, not medical advice

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear layer that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. In India it is widely known as 'aankh aana' or 'eye flu'. It makes the eye red, watery and gritty. Most cases are viral and get better on their own in one to two weeks, but some types need treatment, and a red eye is not always conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Watering, or sticky yellow or green discharge
• Gritty, burning or itchy feeling
• Eyelids stuck together in the morning
• Swollen eyelids
• Mild sensitivity to light

Causes and risk factors

• Viral infection (most common), often spreading quickly in homes, schools and offices, especially during the monsoon
• Bacterial infection, which usually causes thicker sticky discharge
• Allergy to pollen, dust or pet dander (allergic conjunctivitis, which is itchy but not contagious)
• Irritants such as smoke, chemicals, or colours and powders
• Poor contact lens hygiene
• Touching the eyes with unwashed hands and sharing towels or kajal

How it is diagnosed

An eye doctor can usually diagnose conjunctivitis by asking about your symptoms and examining the eye with a slit lamp. The doctor checks that the cornea and inner eye are healthy, because conditions like keratitis, uveitis and acute glaucoma can also cause a red eye but need very different treatment.

Treatment options

• Viral conjunctivitis: usually settles in 1 to 2 weeks; cold compresses and lubricating drops ease discomfort
• Bacterial conjunctivitis: antibiotic eye drops if prescribed by a doctor
• Allergic conjunctivitis: anti-allergy eye drops and avoiding the trigger
• Stop wearing contact lenses until the eye is fully healed, and replace the lenses and case
• Never use steroid eye drops unless an eye doctor prescribes them, as they can worsen some infections and raise eye pressure

Prevention and everyday care

• Wash hands often and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
• Do not share towels, pillows, eye drops, kajal or eye make-up
• Stay home from school or work while the eye is red and watery if advised
• Clean doorknobs, phones and remotes at home during an outbreak
• Wearing dark glasses does not stop the spread, but can reduce light sensitivity

Conjunctivitis in Lucknow

Conjunctivitis outbreaks often appear in Lucknow and across North India during the monsoon and humid months, spreading quickly through schools, coaching classes and offices.

Frequently asked questions about Conjunctivitis

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