Viral conjunctivitis. View of inflamed eyes in a patient with viral conjunctivitis. The cornea is red & inflamed, particularly in the eye on the right. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) causes inflamma- tion of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane cover- ing the eye). Symptoms include redness, itchiness, irritation, discharge (pus in infective conjunct- ivitis) & occasionally photophobia (sensitivity to light). Conjunctivitis is caused by an infection, allergy or physical or chemical irritation. Treat- ment includes washing the eye with warm water to remove any pus, & eye drops containing an antibio- tic drug are given. However, viral conjunctivitis tends to get better without any treatment.