Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes
Stop using contact lenses until the eye is fully healed
Throw away or replace eye makeup and contact lens supplies used during the infection
Use a clean warm compress on the closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day
Use artificial tears to help relieve irritation
Avoid sharing towels, pillows, or washcloths
Clean any discharge from the eye with clean cotton or a fresh cloth
If you wear contacts, use glasses instead until symptoms are gone and your clinician says it is safe
See a healthcare professional if symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving
Get urgent care if you have eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, or swelling around the eye
Use prescribed antibiotic drops or ointment only if a clinician confirms a bacterial infection
Do not use leftover eye drops or steroid drops unless prescribed for this episode