Pink Eye at Night? How to Get Treated Fast in Ontario

Pink eye - conjunctivitis - loves to appear overnight. You wake up with a red, itchy, watery, or crusty eye and a full day ahead. In Ontario, you do not have to sit in a walk-in queue for hours: a pharmacist can assess it and, when appropriate, prescribe.

The three common types

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common and usually clears on its own; it often comes with a cold. Bacterial conjunctivitis tends to produce thicker, yellow-green discharge and may respond to antibiotic drops. Allergic conjunctivitis is itchy, watery, and usually affects both eyes, often alongside hay fever. Telling them apart guides the right treatment - which is exactly what the assessment is for.

How to get treated quickly

Start the pink eye assessment, answer questions about your symptoms and history, and a licensed Ontario pharmacist reviews it and follows up - within 24 business hours (our average is about 2 hours). If treatment is appropriate, they can prescribe and send it to your pharmacy of choice.

Cost

Free with a valid Ontario health card, or a flat $30 without. Treatment is prescribed only when the pharmacist judges it appropriate.

Red flags - get in-person care

See a doctor or go to the emergency department if you have significant eye pain, changes or loss of vision, sensitivity to light, a recent eye injury, symptoms in a newborn, or if you wear contact lenses and have a painful red eye (this can be a serious infection). When in doubt about your eyes, get seen in person.

Ready to get started?

Start your free assessment

Free with a valid Ontario health card, or $30 without. A prescription is not guaranteed - a licensed Ontario pharmacist provides one only when it is appropriate after reviewing your assessment.