Urgent Care for Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Red, itchy, watering eye with discharge. Urgent care can tell whether it's bacterial, viral, or allergic — and prescribe drops if needed.
Find Urgent Care Near You$100-$150
At urgent care. ER treatment for the same condition typically costs 5-15× more.
Common Symptoms
- Pink or red color in the white of the eye
- Itching or burning sensation
- Watery or sticky yellow/green discharge
- Crusting on eyelashes (especially in the morning)
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Sensitivity to light (mild)
- Swollen eyelid
How Urgent Care Treats Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
- Examine the eye to determine cause (bacterial, viral, or allergic)
- Prescribe antibiotic eye drops if bacterial
- Recommend antihistamine drops for allergic conjunctivitis
- Provide work or school excuse (pink eye is highly contagious)
- Rule out more serious eye conditions
What to Expect at Your Visit
A pink eye visit is one of the quickest — 20-30 minutes typically. The provider examines your eye, asks about symptoms and exposure, and prescribes eye drops if needed. Bacterial pink eye usually improves within 24-48 hours of starting drops. Viral pink eye must run its course (5-14 days) but symptoms can be eased with cool compresses. Cost: $100-$150.
- Severe eye pain
- Significant vision changes or loss
- Sensitivity to light strong enough that you can't open your eye
- Eye injury with chemical exposure
- Pupils that look different sizes
Frequently Asked
Is pink eye contagious?
Bacterial and viral pink eye are very contagious. You're contagious until 24 hours after starting antibiotic drops (bacterial) or until your symptoms fully resolve (viral). Wash hands frequently and don't share towels or pillows. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Do I always need antibiotic drops?
No — viral and allergic pink eye don't respond to antibiotics. Your urgent care provider will examine the discharge and symptoms to decide. Inappropriate antibiotic use is a real concern, so providers are getting more selective.
Urgent Care Clinics That Can Help
0 mi · Miami, FL
0 mi · Miami, FL
0 mi · Orlando, FL
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Always call 911 for emergencies and consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.