Why is Pink Eye More Common In Winter?

Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is a common eye infection that causes an inflammation of the conjunctiva — the tissue that lines the inside of your eyelid that keeps your eyelid and your eyeball moist. The condition gets its name when the blood vessels in the membrane covering your eye become irritated or inflamed, causing your eye to look pink.

Ophthalmologist Rishi P. Singh, MD, says pink eye is most commonly caused by viruses (including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) and bacteria. It can also be caused by allergens or irritants like smoke, chlorine or dirt.

There’s a reason pink eye is more common in winter, though. “Because it’s spread through direct contact, it can be passed around easily by people who have bacterial or viral conditions like cold or flu — which are also more common in colder weather months,” Dr. Singh says. You can get it by not washing your hands — then touching your eyes — after coming into contact with someone who’s infected (or a surface they touched.)

If you’re infected, you can also spread it from one infected eye to the other, or if you blow your nose (where bacteria and viruses gather) then touch your eyes without washing your hands.

Also remember, in cold weather months people aren’t exposed to as much sunlight (which helps your body process vitamin D). This reduction in vitamin D can sometimes weaken your immune system. You’re more likely to get sick, and others are, too. So be mindful of public places and shared surfaces like door knobs or and elevator buttons. Also pay attention to not-so-public places like airplanes and pillows in hotel rooms where the virus can hang out.

Can you prevent pink eye in the winter?

The most important thing you can do to prevent getting a pink eye infection or spreading it to others, Dr. Singh says, is to wash your hands frequently with soap and use hand sanitizers — exactly the way you’d avoid the cold, flu, or similar illnesses. And avoid touching your eyes.

A conjunctivitis infection can last from 10 days to two weeks. “But you should see an ophthalmologist — a doctor trained to treat eye conditions — or your family doctor if you have inflammation or symptoms like redness, discharge, watery eyes or pain that don’t seem to be going away,” he notes.

Depending on the cause and severity, there are many treatment options for pink eye. In mild or moderate cases doctors recommend cold compresses and preservative-free artificial tears, Dr. Singh says. If your case is more severe, a prescription for a steroid or anti-inflammatory eye drops can help.

“If you’re a parent and your child has bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, it’s best to keep them home from school, day care or gathering with friends until the danger of being contagious is over,” he notes.