Conjunctivitis is typically caused from bacterial infiltration of the ocular surface but also can be caused by a virus or allergies. This condition is an inflammatory disorder of the thin transparent layer that covers the white portion of the eye and inner eye lids. Common causes of conjunctivitis include contact with someone whom is contagious, season changes, contact lens wear, eye makeup, blepharitis and sometimes medications or systemic conditions which may decrease your bodies natural immunity. Fortunately there are many good methods for treatment of this condition. When the cause is bacterial in origin, antibiotics topical or systemic are used with great success. For viral causes antibiotics will not work and typically must be monitored as this will be self limiting and typically follow the resolution of any systemic viral illness. When allergies are the cause, either anti-inflammatories can be used under the care of your eye doctor or if there is a concurrent bacterial component combination drops may need to be used. If you feel you may have conjunctivitis and you wear contact lenses you should immediately discontinue contact lens wear until you have been seen by your eye doctor as continued use of contact lenses can worsen this condition and make resolution much more complex. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness of the eyes, discharge, foreign body sensation, eye lid 'puffyness', itching, light sensitivity, eye pain and blurred vision. To control the spread of this to the non affected/less affected eye you should wash hands thoroughly and wash all linens/pillows slept on as well as discard all products used on the eyes prior to the infection arising.