Yes, pink eye can affect both eyes.
Understanding Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye. It can be caused by various factors, including bacterial or viral infections, allergies, or irritants.
Many sources confirm that pink eye can occur in one or both eyes simultaneously. For example, the Cleveland Clinic states that you "can have it in one eye only or both at the same time."https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis Medical News Today notes that "Most cases of pink eye are bilateral, meaning they occur in both eyes," often starting in one eye and spreading.[https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/pink-eye-in-both-eyes] The Mayo Clinic highlights that allergic conjunctivitis, a type of pink eye, commonly affects both eyes.[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355]
While some infections might initially appear in one eye before spreading to the other, the possibility of simultaneous bilateral infection is entirely common. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also confirms that you "can have conjunctivitis in one or both eyes."[https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis]
Types of Pink Eye and Bilateral Occurrence:
- Infectious Pink Eye (Bacterial or Viral): Often starts in one eye but frequently spreads to the other.
- Allergic Pink Eye: Typically affects both eyes simultaneously due to the systemic nature of allergic reactions.
