Licensed Ontario Pharmacists
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Care365
Ontario Virtual Pharmacist Care
Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic or viral) Treatment Online — Ontario Virtual Care
See a licensed pharmacist online for conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic or viral) — no waiting room, no travel.
Conjunctivitis, often called pink eye, is inflammation of the thin membrane covering the white of the eye and inner eyelid, causing redness, watering, and irritation, usually in both eyes. It can be triggered by a virus (most common, often alongside a cold), bacteria (typically producing thicker, yellow-green discharge), or an allergen (usually with itching as the dominant symptom). Because the underlying cause differs, the right treatment — or no treatment at all, since viral conjunctivitis clears on its own — depends on which type you actually have.
Licensed Ontario pharmacists
Same-day review
Prescriptions sent directly
CCare365
Care365 workflowComplete assessment → pharmacist review → prescription sent when appropriate.
Quick Self-Check
Answer a few quick questions. This isn't a diagnosis — a real pharmacist assessment is the next step either way.
How We Work
A Care365 online pharmacist consult in Ontario can help distinguish between bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis based on your symptom pattern and discharge, and prescribe a topical antibiotic like fusidic acid gel for a clearly bacterial presentation, or an antihistamine drop like ketotifen for allergic conjunctivitis. The assessment also screens out cases that need an in-person eye exam instead, such as one-sided symptoms, contact lens wear, or a history of eye disease.
Complete a short online assessment
Answer real, condition-specific questions — takes a few minutes, no appointment needed to start.
A licensed pharmacist reviews your answers
A real pharmacist licensed in Ontario reviews your case, typically the same day — not an automated approval.
Get your treatment plan
When appropriate, your prescription is sent directly to your preferred pharmacy, with clear next steps.
Why Choose Care365?
Fast, Real Assessments
No generic templates — your answers are reviewed by a real person, typically the same day.
Secure & Private
Your information is encrypted and only seen by the pharmacist reviewing your case.
Prescriptions Sent Directly
When appropriate, your prescription goes straight to your preferred pharmacy — no extra trip needed.
What Our Pharmacists Can Assess
Viral conjunctivitis
The most common type, often appearing alongside a cold, with watery discharge and no need for antibiotics.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Causes thick, yellow-green discharge that can make the eyelids stick together, especially after sleep.
Allergic conjunctivitis
Itching is the main symptom, often alongside a runny nose or other seasonal allergy symptoms.
Common Symptoms
- Redness in the white of the eye
- Watery eyes or discharge
- Itchy eyes
- Gritty or irritated feeling in the eye
- Eyelids that stick together, especially after sleeping
- Usually affects both eyes
- Mild eyelid swelling
Treatment Options
These options may be prescribed by a Care365 pharmacist after a real assessment — this is general information, not a recommendation to use any specific medication without one.
| Medication | Class | Route | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fusidic acid 1% ophthalmic gel | Topical antibiotic | Ophthalmic | BID x7 days |
| Ketotifen 0.025% ophthalmic drops | Antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer | Ophthalmic | BID, as needed |
Non-medication options
- Cold compress and artificial tears — Symptomatic relief for any cause, including viral.
- Hygiene measures — Hand hygiene, avoid contact lenses until resolved, discard used eye makeup.
Everything in One Place
- Easy online scheduling — submit your assessment in minutes
- Real pharmacist review, not an automated approval
- Prescriptions sent directly to your preferred pharmacy when appropriate
- 100% virtual — no travel, no waiting room
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pink eye is bacterial, viral, or allergic?
Thick, yellow-green discharge that makes your eyelids stick together points to bacterial. Watery discharge alongside cold symptoms suggests viral. Itching as the main symptom, especially with a runny nose or seasonal pattern, points to allergic. A pharmacist can help sort out which pattern fits based on your symptoms.
Do I need antibiotic drops for pink eye?
Only if it's bacterial — antibiotics don't help viral or allergic conjunctivitis, and viral conjunctivitis typically resolves on its own within one to two weeks with supportive care like cold compresses and artificial tears.
Can I get this treated if I wear contact lenses?
Contact lens wearers with a currently red, painful eye need an in-person assessment rather than a virtual one, since lens wear changes the risk of more serious eye infections that need to be examined directly.
Is pink eye contagious, and when can I go back to work or send my kid to school?
Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious through direct contact and shared surfaces. Good hand hygiene, avoiding shared towels or pillows, and discarding used eye makeup all help reduce spread — many schools and workplaces ask you to wait until discharge and redness have notably improved.
My eye redness is only in one small area, not spread across the whole eye — is that still conjunctivitis?
Redness confined to just one part of the eye, rather than spread across it, is a different pattern than typical conjunctivitis and needs a direct look to rule out other causes.
Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic or viral) Can Be Treated
Complete a real assessment online — a licensed Ontario pharmacist reviews your case and arranges treatment and prescription support when appropriate.
Start My Free Assessment