Pink eye or conjunctivitis, is one of the most common eye infection. When conjunctiva, a thin transparent covering the eyeball is inflamed, the eye experiences irritation, becomes swollen and reddens. This air borne disease spreads from person to person through direct contact is called "sore eye" in layman language.

Pink eye symptoms are easily noticeable as the eyeball and insides of eyelids become inflamed. The eye starts to itch and then turns red, followed by watery secretion. In some cases, pus is also formed, which dries up especially when one sleeps making the eyelashes stick together.

The few known causes of sore eyes are mostly bacterial or viral infection, eye-strain, working in dim lighted conditions, allergic reaction to some substances in the air or causal contact like a handshake, etc, with someone whos infected.

Simple practices like washing hands with antiseptic soap, avoiding the using towels or anything else of the person infected, using clean cloth or tissue to clear the eye discharge, wearing protective eye gear and screens in places where welding occurs and avoiding chemical irritants and allergens, etc. can be put in use to avoid spreading the disease.

To speedup the recovery process and ease the discomfort in the eye, try some of these home remedies

Application of warm compress over the eye for 10 minutes or so, three to four times in a day soothes the inflamed eye.

Use cotton balls dipped in clean water to wipe the crusts in and around the eyes and eyelids will help the healing process.

Warm compress works fine with kids and even adults, but for those (adults only) who have excess discharge should mix baby shampoo and warm water in the ratio of 1:10. Clean the eye and eyelashes with soft cotton ball dipped in this solution. Warm water softens and loosens the crusts and shampoo cleans the area around it.

Boil handful of dried coriander in warm water to make an excellent eye wash. It provides relief burning and lessens the pain and swelling.

Another home remedy for pink eye. Mmake a poultice of grated potato and place it on affected eye. Instead of potato, try grated apple. The condition should clear up in 2 or 3 days time.

Boric acid eyewash can be used to clean and soothe the eyes.

Warm tea bags placed on the eyes eases the discomfort of conjunctivitis.

Herbal eyewash made with 2 tsp chamomile flowers steeped in 2 cups of boiling water is a good substitute for eye drops. Chamomile tea bags placed on the eye soothes the itchiness.

For infants experiencing pink eye, dab the babys eye with freshly expressed breast milk, 2-3 times for few days and see the difference.

Eyebright is known to be best herb for treating the pink eye as it has excellent cleansing and strengthening properties. Mix few drops of eyebright tincture with 1 cup boiled water, cool and strain. Dip a cotton ball in this eyewash and gently wipe the eye and its surrounding area.

A cup of Indian gooseberry juice mixed with 2 tsp of honey taken twice daily is useful in treating conjunctivitis.

Goat milk yogurt poultice applied to the infected eye daily brings relief.