You usually should not go to work with contagious pink eye, especially if you work closely with people, food, children, or patients.

Quick Scoop: Can I Go To Work With Pink Eye?

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is often highly contagious when it’s viral or bacterial, and it spreads easily through tears, discharge, and anything those touch (hands, doorknobs, keyboards, etc.).

Many workplaces and clinics recommend staying home while your eye is red, goopy, and tearing a lot, both for your comfort and to avoid infecting others.

People on forums who went in anyway often get called out for “choosing to expose people,” with others saying they should have just called in sick.

When It’s Usually NOT Okay To Go In

You should generally stay home and/or get evaluated if:

  • Your eye is red with thick yellow/green discharge that makes your eyelids stick together (common in bacterial pink eye).
  • The eye is very itchy, burning, and watery, and you recently had a cold or someone around you did (common in viral).
  • You are rubbing your eyes a lot or touching your face often (this makes spread much more likely).
  • You work:
    • In healthcare or therapy (close face-to-face contact).
    • With kids in schools/daycare.
    • With food or at a grocery/retail job where you constantly interact with people.

Medical sources note that viral and bacterial pink eye are contagious as long as you have symptoms like tearing and discharge, which can last several days. Opinion posts and forums often echo the same thing: coworkers and patients don’t appreciate being exposed just because someone didn’t want to miss a shift.

When It Might Be Okay

There are a few situations where going to work can be reasonable:

  • Allergic pink eye
    • Triggered by pollen, pet dander, or other allergens.
    • Often both eyes are itchy, watery, and red but not goopy.
    • This type is not contagious, and medical sources explicitly say you can go to work or school without worrying about spreading it.
  • Mild, improving symptoms after treatment
    • If a doctor diagnosed bacterial pink eye and you’ve been on antibiotic eye drops for about 24 hours, the risk of spread is usually much lower, and many doctors then allow return to work or school.
* Discharge is minimal, you’re not rubbing the eye, and you can follow strict hygiene.

Even then, you should still avoid touching your eye, wash your hands frequently, and not share towels, pillows, or makeup.

What People Are Saying Online (Forum Vibes)

Recent forum and Reddit-style discussions show a split, but most lean toward staying home when it’s infectious pink eye:

  • Some workers admit they “had to work with pink eye” because the clinic or store was short-staffed, but commenters push back and say they should have called in sick instead.
  • Others talk about trying to “hide it” with makeup or only doing up the other eye, but medically this doesn’t reduce contagion and can actually worsen irritation.
  • A common theme: the workplace won’t collapse if you miss a day; exposing patients, customers, or coworkers is viewed as inconsiderate.

So the general social and medical consensus is: if it’s likely contagious, staying home is the responsible move.

Practical Steps: What To Do Today

  1. Figure out the likely type
    • One eye, goopy discharge, recent cold or sick contact → viral or bacterial, usually contagious.
 * Both eyes, itchy/watery, strong allergy history → more likely allergic (not contagious).
  1. Call a clinic or telehealth
    • Ask if they think you should stay home from work based on your job and symptoms.
    • Ask whether you need antibiotic drops or if it’s likely viral and will just run its course.
  1. If you do go to work anyway (not ideal for contagious types)
    • Avoid touching or rubbing your eye.
    • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
 * Do not share towels, makeup, or eye drops.
 * Avoid close face-to-face contact when possible.

Bottom Line (TL;DR)

  • Contagious (viral or bacterial) pink eye → usually stay home until at least 24 hours after starting appropriate treatment and/or symptoms improve, especially if you work closely with people, kids, or food.
  • Allergic pink eye → not contagious; going to work is generally fine if you feel well enough.

If you’re unsure what type you have or your job has specific rules, contact a healthcare provider or your employer/HR before deciding. Note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.