Conjunctivitis (Eye and Ear Hospital)

Conjunctivitis means the white of the eye (the sclera) is pink due to inflammation of the clear covering over it (the conjunctivae).

Conjunctivitis can be caused by an infection (either viral or bacterial) which is highly contagious, or by an allergic reaction which is not contagious. It is not always clear which type of conjunctivitis is present, because all cause redness and swelling of the conjunctiva.